Overview
Landlords in the Netherlands are increasingly subjecting more housing tenants to harassment, intimidation, and illegal eviction amid a national housing shortage. According to a survey of tenant associations, international students, foreign workers, and young adults are particularly vulnerable to such abuses. These groups are often targeted because they are perceived as being less knowledgeable of their own legal rights as tenants.
Specific Cases and Tactics
- Harassment and Intimidation: Landlords threaten tenants or badger them to leave by a certain date, send lease termination letters full of legal jargon, or even change the locks when a tenant is not home.
- Real-Life Example: Hesham Abdelrahim, a 30-year-old Egyptian student at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, faced such harassment. He was forced to crash at friends’ homes and even slept on the street. He could not re-enter his home until he won a lawsuit over the matter.
Motivations for Landlords
- Higher Prices for Vacant Properties: Investors can command higher prices when selling properties if they are vacant. This is because an empty home can sell for a price that is dozens of percentage points higher than if a renter is present under a lease agreement.
- Economic Pressures: With national rules sharply increasing the real estate transfer tax for housing investors and a new tier putting a strict maximum price on monthly rent for mid-market properties, it is now more difficult for landlords to make a profit on their investments.
- Desire to Exit the Market: Many landlords, especially those who are self-employed with a handful of properties, see their pension money evaporating and want to exit the market as soon as possible.
Tenant Associations’ Perspectives
- Manipulation and Misleading Promises: Another tenant, Klaas Groen, was manipulated into paying a landlord cash under the table for the home he rents with three others. They were told they would then be given a permanent lease if they helped their landlord by taking that deal. Later, the landlord said she wanted to sell the building due to announced measures. This manipulation led to a difficult situation for Groen and his roommates.
Current Market Trends
- Shift in Buyer Behavior: With the new rules making it harder for landlords to make a profit, many are selling off their residences rather than buying new ones. This trend is especially pronounced among self-employed landlords who own a few properties.
- Impact on Vulnerable Tenants: The shift in the housing market is particularly challenging for vulnerable tenants, such as international students and foreign workers, who may have fewer resources to fight illegal evictions.
Conclusion
The current housing market in the Netherlands is creating a challenging environment for many tenants, particularly those who are less familiar with their legal rights. Landlords are employing various tactics to evict tenants, often targeting those who are more vulnerable. This issue highlights the need for stronger tenant protection measures and enforcement of existing laws to ensure fair and legal treatment for all housing tenants.
Views: 0