The number of short-stay rentals in the Netherlands that are only available to expats has spiked as more and more landlords try to get around the Dutch rental laws introduced in July last year.
From July 1, 2024, new rental laws including the Affordable Rent Act and the ban on two-year rental contracts came into effect. While permanent rental contracts were made the new norm, there are some exceptions allowing short-stay housing for students and international workers.
Landlords have taken advantage of this, with rental platforms seeing a noticeable uptick in short-stay listings for “expats only”, reported AD. In fact, an analysis of rental listings showed a 45 percent increase in the number of properties that were classified as short-stay.
This type of housing is only available for up to six months and does not fall under rental protection laws. “Calling it short stay allows landlords to charge whatever they want. It’s a complete escape from housing regulations,” Gert Jan Bakker, an advocate for tenant rights and consultant at Stichting !WOON told AD.
The new rental regulations were introduced to improve the housing situation in the Netherlands but have instead made it harder for residents to find rental properties as many landlords have either decided to sell their homes or offer short-stay accommodation. ProperBee Vastgoed, a property manager in Rotterdam, reportedly advertised rental homes with a disclaimer that only people who are in the country temporarily for work or studies would be allowed as tenants.
A similar situation is taking place in Nijmegen for the Canisiushof complex which is offering 120 rental apartments, only available under short-stay contracts for “exchange students, expats, and working professionals”. A real estate agent in The Hague, Michel van der Steen has also noticed that many landlords have a preference for tenants from abroad. “They’re afraid Dutch tenants will stay too long, taking control away from the property owner,” he explained.
According to the predictions of legal experts, if the exploitation of the loopholes in the rental regulations continues, stricter enforcement is possible. The Dutch Ministry of Housing has made note of the issue and has stated that it is monitoring the situation. “If municipalities detect misuse of short-stay arrangements, they are responsible for enforcement,” said a ministry spokesperson.