Tag Archive for: Glenn Kerver

Tenancy agreements for residential accommodation

When you are planning to rent out your house, there is a lot to arrange and even more to consider. The most important of all is to draw up a good tenancy agreement. It would be wise to check the tenancy agreement before signing so you know your legal rights and obligations. There are three main categories of residential tenancy agreements, each with their own set of legal provisions. I this article I will shortly discuss the categories of tenancy agreements for residential accommodation and their legal aspects.

1. Tenancy agreement for an indefinite period of time

Generally speaking, one enters into a tenancy agreement for an indefinite period of time.

The tenant may terminate the agreement at any time. He does not need to explain the reason why he wants to terminate the agreement. He does however need to comply with a notice period, which is equal to period between two payment days (usually one month, maximum three months). And he has to give notice of the termination by registered letter or bailiffs writ (article 7:271 paragraph 3 DCC).

If you want to terminate the agreement as a landlord, you are limited by the statutory grounds for termination as listed in article 7:274 DCC, such as bad tenancy and urgent personal use. You are only allowed to terminate the tenancy agreement on the basis of one of these grounds of termination. For a landlord there’s a notice period of three to six months. This depends on how long the tenancy agreement has lasted. And just like the tenant, you have to give notice of the termination by registered letter or by bailiff’s writ. If the tenant agrees with the termination, the agreement is terminated. If the tenant does not agree, then you must  ask the court to terminate the agreement. In that case, the agreement is not terminated until the court decides and the decision is irrevocable (article 7:272 DCC).

Besides termination by notice, you can end a tenancy agreement by mutual agreement (article 7:271 paragraph 8 DCC). And by termination for breach of contract (article 6:265 and 7:231 DCC). This applies to all tenancy agreements, regardless of their duration.

2. Tenancy Agreements for an indefinite term with a minimum lease period of one or two years

This type of agreement ends after termination by the lessee or lessor after that specific period. Premature termination is not allowed. Following on from the above, the lessor has the obligation to refer to his specific (statutory) ground for the termination. This last type of tenancy agreement is under pressure, some people feel that this type of agreement cannot exist since the Property Rental Market (Measures to Facilitate Movement) Act 2015 came into effect. Others emphasize that the minister has indicated that this was however not the intent of the legislature. The Supreme Court has not decided on this subject yet

3. Tenancy agreement for a definite period of time of two years or less

You can also decide to use the agreement for a definite period of no longer than two years. (See article 7:271 paragraph 1 DCC). The tenancy agreement must then contain explicit provisions. Such as that the agreement is entered into for a definite period of time. In this case of two years or less in the sense of article 7:271 paragraph 1 DCC.

Article 7:271 paragraph 1 DCC allows you to rent out your house, without the tenant enjoying full rental protection. This means you are not bound by the termination grounds of article 7:274 DCC. Therefore, you can end the agreement by simple notification one to three months before the end of the tenancy agreement. The notification that the agreement will end on the agreed upon end date will then suffice.

It is not possible for you to terminate the agreement prematurely. If you notify your tenant in time, the agreement will end automatically. If you do not notify your tenant (on time), or if you extend or sign a new  tenancy agreement with the same tenants, the agreement will automatically convert into an agreement for an indefinite period of time. In that event, the tenants will enjoy full security of tenure.

A tenant may terminate the agreement at any time and he can do so by simple letter notifying his landlord that he wants to terminate the agreement. Also, he has to comply with the notice period. This period is equal to the rent payment term (usually one month, maximum three months).

4. Tenancy agreement for a definite period of time of more than two years

Finally, you can choose to rent out your house for a definite period of time of more than two years. This agreement is much alike the agreement for an indefinite period of time. As a landlord you may only terminate the agreement on the basis of one of the termination grounds of article 7:274 DCC. If your tenant does not agree with the termination, the agreement does not end until the decision of the court to terminate the agreement is irrevocable. Also, both you and the tenant have to terminate the agreement by registered letter of bailiff’s writ and you both have to comply with the aforementioned notice period of (usually) one month, respectively three to six months. Then, the agreement will end automatically on the end date.

This tenancy agreement differs from a tenancy agreement for an indefinite period of time in the sense that neither the tenant nor you may terminate the agreement prematurely. Both parties have to wait until the agreed upon end date. If you and your tenant wish to extend the tenancy agreement, this extension will convert the agreement into an agreement for an indefinite period of time.

Get help with your tenancy agreement for a fixed fee

Summarizing, the type of tenancy agreement is guiding for the security of tenure. In addition, one can include specific clauses with regard to nuisance, commercial hemp cultivation or illegal subletting, especially seeing on termination because of breach of contract or penalty stipulation.

Finally, over the last years a lot of municipalities have drafted housing bylaw (in Dutch: ‘huisvestingsverordening’), seeing on housing permits, housing evaluation points (number of points scored in a housing evaluation system to determine the rent), or putting a maximum to the amounts of tenants per house in certain areas. It is important to draft or check clauses regarding these subjects as well, since revoking a housing permit will cause major consequences for both owner and tenant

 

Need advice?

GMW lawyers can review your tenancy agreement or specific clauses. They can also provide you with a general legal advice for a fixed fee of EUR 750 including office costs and VAT or draft a tenancy agreement for a fixed fee of EUR 1250 including office costs and VAT.

This written advice contains an overview of your legal rights and obligations regarding the tenancy agreement. In addition, we point out any risks (or red flags) and offer suggestions to alter clauses if necessary. Based on this advice, you can then decide whether you want to use the tenancy agreement you’ve drawn up. Or if you would like to add, alter of remove any clauses.

Our fixed fee package covers only the review and initial advice – but our support does not stop there.

If you need further legal advice about renting out your house, assistance with understanding your rights and obligations, if you have a dispute, or if you need additional help with a specific situation, our lawyers can continue to help you according to our hourly rates.

Please feel free to contact one of our specialists for more information or to request our fixed fee service.

The differences between renting or leasing commercial space

What are the differences between renting or leasing commercial space? If you rent or lease commercial space, Dutch law distinguishes between two ‘types of commercial spaces’. The so-called 230a-spaces and 290-spaces. The difference between the two types of business premises and the applicable legislation is important for both tenants and landlords. In this blog I will discuss some important differences.

290 business premises

Business premises qualify as 290 business space if you lease the building or part thereof for the operation of a retail business. Such as a restaurant, a café, a take-away or delivery service or a craft business. The relevant aspect or criterion is whether the space is a publicly accessible area and if you’ll use it for the direct supply of goods or services.

In simple terms, a commercial space qualifies as a 290-spaces if consumers can physically enter and buy or order things in the leased space. For example a supermarket or a hairdresser. Hotels and campsites also fall under this legal regime.

Duration

The tenant of a 290 business space has a relatively high level of tenant protection under Dutch law. The most striking aspect is the duration of the rental agreement. The initial rental period for 290-spaces is five years. If the contract is not terminated (in time) it will be extended for another five years by law. If the tenancy agreement has not been terminated after ten years, the tenancy agreement becomes a contract for an indefinite period by of law.

Possibilities of termination

In addition to the protective regulations for the tenant regarding the duration, the termination options of the lease contract for 290 business spaces are limited.

Both the lessor and the lessee can only terminate the lease at the end of the agreed term. This is however subject to a notice period of at least one year. The termination of a lease contract of a 290 business space can therefore not happen prematurely. However and for completeness I point out that premature termination by mutual consent is possible. One can terminate a permanent lease at any date. In all cases termination by the landlord is only possible if he states the reason(s) for termination.

The law only grants a few specific grounds for termination to the landlord. Which grounds for termination the landlord can use depends on the lease period(s) that have passed. The most common grounds for termination are: bad tenancy behavior and urgent own use by the landlord. Bad tenancy is, for example, if the rent is structurally not paid or not paid on time or if the tenant causes structural nuisance.

If the tenant does not agree to a termination by the landlord within six weeks, the landlord has to go to court to have the termination reviewed. Such a procedure is often time-consuming and costly.

230a business premises

If the leased property does not fall under the regime of residential or 290 business spaces, the 230a regime applies. Common examples of 230a business spaces are office space, factories, storage space and showrooms.

The tenant of a 230a space has much less legal protection than the tenant of a 290 space. The rental period, for example, is not subject to any form of contract. One can conclude it for a short(er) period. It is common practice that parties agree on a term of (only) one year, which period will automatically extend. An indefinite period is also possible.

A contract for a definite period ends automatically when the agreed period expires. A contract for an indefinite period ends by termination by the lessee or lessor. A reason for termination is not necessary. However, a notice period must be observed. Unless otherwise agreed, the notice period is equal to the term of payment. If the rent is paid monthly, the notice period is in general one month. However, an extended notice period could be applicable if the principles of reasonableness and fairness so require.

Note that the tenant can extend his stay in the event of termination by the landlord by invoking eviction protection. For example, because he needs time to move to another business accommodation. This period can be a maximum of three years after the date on which eviction from the leased property was given notice.

Conclusion on renting or leasing commercial space

The legislations that apply on the lease of a commercial space depend on the type of business space the tenant rents. When it comes to 290-premises, such as retail space, there is far more protection for the tenant than when it comes to 230a space.

Further agreements can be made in the tenancy agreement, for example regarding the termination of the contract. When it comes to 290-premises the legal rules may never be deviated from to the detriment of the tenant. However, when it comes to 230a space, parties have a lot of freedom to incorporate specific arrangements in their contract.

When entering into a commercial lease, both as landlord or a tenant, it is advisable to carefully think about the applicable legislations and the obligations by law and by contract. And when it comes to 230a space, I recommend to already incorporate agreements about, for example, the extension of the lease period, the notice period in case of termination and of course the actual possibilities of termination. When it comes to 290 commercial space, the landlord would do well to carefully organize the possible  termination of the lease.

More information?

In case you have questions about renting or leasing commercial space, ensure certainty and have your tenancy agreement assessed by a lawyer, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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