Termination of Rental Agreement by Landlord in Rotterdam: Conditions and Procedure
In Rotterdam, with its tight rental market and strict rental policy, landlords may not terminate a rental agreement just like that. Strict conditions apply from Book 7 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), reinforced by local Rotterdam rules regarding emergency declarations and housing shortage. This article discusses when and how you as a landlord in neighborhoods such as Delfshaven or Feijenoord can terminate, with examples from Rotterdam case law.
Main grounds: urgent own use (article 7:274 BW), which in Rotterdam is often contested due to the high emergency lists of the municipality; non-payment of rent, nuisance in densely populated apartment buildings or serious defects caused by the tenant. Send a notice of termination with a minimum notice period of three months and a concrete reason, tailored to Rotterdam tenants' needs. If there is opposition, a procedure follows at the Rotterdam district court, where tenants enjoy extra protection via the Huurcommissie.
Procedure in Rotterdam: 1. Write a formal notice of termination with end date, referring to local nuisance complaints or payment arrears. 2. Wait for response and involve the municipality's neighborhood teams if necessary. 3. Claim termination via the Rotterdam district court with solid evidence, such as invoices or neighborhood testimonies. For own use, you must offer an alternative dwelling in the Rotterdam region or pay compensation in accordance with article 7:274 paragraph 2 BW. The success rate at the Rotterdam court is low without an ironclad file, partly due to the focus on preventing homelessness. Avoid informal pressure, which is strictly enforced in Rotterdam; this can lead to fines. Consult a local Rotterdam rental law attorney for customized advice and to avoid claims via the Juridisch Loket Rotterdam.