Urgent Own Use as Grounds for Termination by Landlord in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, landlords may request tenants to vacate with three months' notice for urgent own use (Article 7:274 DCC). Urgent reasons include own occupation, family reunification or conversion into own home, but in the tight Amsterdam rental market, proof is crucial: no speculative behaviour as with investors in the Jordaan or De Pijp. Tenants in the city get six months' consideration period and can demand €6,000 compensation for unreasonable termination. In case of refusal, the Rent Tribunal or the Amsterdam District Court intervenes. Case law, such as cases at the Amsterdam District Court, requires concrete proof, for example family expansion due to the baby boom in young families. After two years, the landlord must actually move in, otherwise a coercive fine of €100 per day looms. Tenants with urgency, such as chronic illness or Wmo indication via the municipality, have veto rights. Local statistics: in Amsterdam, 30% of terminations fail due to lack of proof, higher than national average due to strict controls on the overheated market. Tip for Amsterdam tenants: demand written substantiation with address details; landlords, prepare a file with municipal declarations. Alternative: voluntary eviction with bonus, often attractive due to high house prices in neighbourhoods like Oud-Zuid. (212 words)