Termination of Rental Agreement in Amsterdam: Grounds and Procedure for Tenants

In Amsterdam, where the rental market is extremely tight with sky-high waiting times for social housing, as a tenant you can have the rental agreement terminated under certain circumstances. This is particularly relevant in cases of serious defects in your home in neighborhoods like the Jordaan or Bijlmer, or if the landlord ignores obligations such as maintenance in older buildings. This article discusses the statutory grounds and steps, with attention to Amsterdam-specific features.

Statutory grounds for termination in Amsterdam

According to Article 7:231 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), the district court in Amsterdam may terminate the rental agreement if performance is impossible, for example due to uninhabitable situations such as mold, leaks, or noise nuisance in densely populated neighborhoods. Urgent own use by the landlord (Article 7:274 BW) is common during gentrification in the Pijp, but tenants have strong protection rights via the Huurteam Amsterdam.

Procedure at the Amsterdam district court

Start with a registered letter to the landlord, referring to local rules of the municipality of Amsterdam. If negotiation fails? Have a bailiff serve a summons for the district court at Gerrit van der Veenstraat. The judge decides on termination, notice period, and possible compensation. In Amsterdam, you can also consult the Juridisch Loket at Ferdinand Bolstraat for free advice.

Specific cases in the capital

In cases of rent arrears by the landlord or illegal subletting in holiday homes around the Centrum, stricter rules apply. For social housing via Ymere or Rochdale, the Huurcommissie offers interim measures, while the Amsterdamse Huurderslijn assists with reports to the municipality. Gather evidence such as photos of defects, reports from the Building and Housing Inspectorate, and witness statements from the neighborhood. This strengthens your position in the demanding Amsterdam rental market. (278 words)