Termination of Lease Agreement for Commercial Space in Amsterdam

The termination of a lease agreement for commercial space in Amsterdam follows strict rules from Book 7 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW). Landlords in the vibrant Amsterdam city centre may terminate due to urgent own use, such as in the redevelopment of iconic buildings on the Kalverstraat or Nieuwendijk, non-extension of temporary contracts or default by the tenant. A minimum notice period of one month is mandatory, with written notice and clear motivation. Tenants in Amsterdam have a six-month reflection period after notice and may claim goodwill compensation upon forced departure from beloved locations. The district court in Amsterdam strictly reviews the reasonableness; own use must be concrete, necessary and often supported by urban development plans of the Municipality of Amsterdam. For shops in Amsterdam's Retail Investment Overview (RIO), the Huurcommissie provides additional rent protection, including rent assessment for high rents in neighbourhoods such as the Negen Straatjes or the Pijp. In the event of a tenant's bankruptcy, as recently seen with bankrupt retailers on the PC Hooftstraat, the contract terminates automatically, but trustees may transfer it to buyers. Parties may agree on collective terminations in large-scale redevelopment, such as Zuidas projects. Practical advice for Amsterdam entrepreneurs: document all correspondence meticulously to avoid procedures at the Amsterdam District Court. These rules ensure stability in Amsterdam's tight commercial real estate market, where demand for commercial spaces is exploding due to tourism and tech startups. (248 words)