Temporary Rent Contracts Still Common Despite Ban: A News Report
Amsterdam, Netherlands- Despite a new law banning temporary rent contracts that took effect on July1st, hundreds of homes are still being advertised with such contracts on popular housing websites like Pararius and Kamernet, according to a recent investigation by NOS.This practice, which may violate the law, raises concerns about housing insecurity for tenants.
While some advertisers explicitly state they are seeking tenants who qualify for exceptions,such as students or individuals going through divorce, many ads fail to mention the reason for the temporary contract. This leaves potential tenants vulnerable to being misled and potentially facing eviction without a clear legal framework.
Tenants’ organizations express concern.Advertising with temporary contracts as if they were normal is bad, said a spokesperson for Woonbond, a tenants’ organization. Landlords are simply trying it and saddling house hunters with housing insecurity.
Legal experts warn ofpotential consequences. Saskia Koerselman, a tenancy law attorney, explained that temporary contracts that do not fall under the exceptions are illegal. Tenants can challenge these contracts in court with a high chance of success. The judge will rule that a fixed-term period has been wrongly used and determine that the agreement isdeemed to have been entered into for an indefinite period, she said. This means tenants can remain in the property unless there are other valid reasons for eviction, such as poor tenancy or the landlord’s demonstrable and urgent need for the property.
Woonbond advises caution. The organization advises home seekers to avoidtemporary contracts unless they are in a desperate situation. You then have the chance that such a landlord says: I will not rent to you; I will look for someone else, said the spokesperson. For those who must sign a temporary contract, they should be prepared to fight for their rights in court.
Landlords face uncertainty. Kavish Partiman of Vastgoed Belang, a real estate organization, acknowledged the law’s necessity but expressed understanding for landlords’ reluctance to comply. There is a lot of uncertainty for landlords. Due to the increase in box 3 tax and the Affordable Rent Act, their return may becomezero or even negative, he said. Landlords may be hesitant to commit to long-term leases due to financial concerns and prefer to wait and see if renting remains profitable.
The new law’s impact on the housing market remains to be seen. While the ban on temporary contracts aims to improve tenant security,it also presents challenges for landlords navigating a complex and evolving market. The long-term consequences of this legislation will depend on how effectively it is enforced and how landlords adapt to the new regulations.
This report was compiled using information from the NL Times article Temporary rent contracts still common despite ban and additional researchon the topic.
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