Co-tenancy for Cohabitation or Partnership in Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, with its diverse neighborhoods such as Delfshaven, Kralingen, and Kop van Zuid, co-tenancy in cases of cohabitation or registered partnership provides crucial protection against homelessness. Partners in the port city automatically become co-tenants if they have lived together for at least two years and are registered at the same address, unless the landlord – such as Woonbron, Vestia, or Havensteder – refuses on reasonable grounds, such as payment arrears. This is stipulated in Article 7:268 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) and applies to both social housing in Rotterdam-Zuid and private sector apartments in the city center. The application process is carried out via the standard amendment form with the Rotterdam landlord, supported by evidence of shared living expenses and an extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP) via the Rotterdam City Archives. In case of refusal, you can quickly appeal to the regional Rent Tribunal in Utrecht, which often provides expedited processing for port workers or expats. Advantages include equal rights to tenancy continuation after relationship breakdown and inheritance protection, making it ideal for Rotterdam couples with port-related jobs. Disadvantages include ongoing liability for rent arrears, which poses additional risks in the busy rental market. For expats in Rotterdam or temporary relationships, the municipality advises drafting a cohabitation agreement with a rental clause through a local notary. Parents with children receive priority in the allocation of Rotterdam social housing via Woonnet Rijnmond. Document everything in writing, keep emails with landlords, and in urgent cases – such as domestic violence in Rotterdam’s problem neighborhoods – the subdistrict court may grant interim co-tenancy based on local urgency procedures.