Dutch Landlords Resort to Illegal Evictions Amid Housing Crisis: Foreign Students and WorkersTargeted
Amsterdam, Netherlands – The Netherlands is facing a growing problemof illegal evictions, with landlords resorting to harassment and intimidation tactics to force tenants out, particularly targeting foreign students and workers. This alarming trend is fueled by thecountry’s severe housing shortage, driving up property prices and making it more lucrative for landlords to sell vacant properties.
Vulnerable Groups Targeted
A recent survey bytenant associations reveals that international students, foreign workers, and young adults are disproportionately affected by these illegal eviction practices. Landlords exploit these groups’ unfamiliarity with Dutch tenancy laws, using threats, intimidation, and manipulative tactics to pressure them into leaving.
Examples of Abuse
- Hesham Abdelrahim, a 30-year-old Egyptian student at the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, was illegally evicted from his apartment after his landlord changed the locks while he was away. Despite winning a lawsuit, Abdelrahim faced homelessness, sleeping at friends’ homes and even on the streets.
- Klaas Groen, a 28-year-old resident of Utrecht, was pressured by his landlord into paying cash under the table for his rental. He was promised a permanent leasebut later told the building would be sold, forcing him and his roommates to vacate after a year and a half without a contract.
Landlords Motivated by Profit
The housing crisis has created a lucrative market for landlords, who can command higher prices for vacant properties. Investors are increasingly selling their properties,driven by new regulations that increase real estate transfer taxes and cap rental prices for mid-market properties. This has created a climate where landlords are eager to exit the market, particularly those with smaller portfolios, seeking to maximize their profits before the market shifts further.
Consequences of Illegal Evictions
These illegal evictionshave devastating consequences for vulnerable tenants, forcing them into homelessness, disrupting their studies and careers, and causing immense stress and financial hardship.
Calls for Action
Tenant associations are calling for stricter enforcement of tenancy laws and increased protection for vulnerable renters. They urge the government to address the housing shortage and implement measures toprevent landlords from exploiting tenants during this crisis.
This article is based on information from the provided text and is written in a journalistic style, adhering to journalistic principles of accuracy, fairness, and objectivity.
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