Dutch rental terms explained
Moving to the Netherlands? Cut through the rental jargon. Our glossary covers the terms you'll meet most, from borgsom to woningcorporatie, with clear definitions, examples, and practical tips.
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Gebreken Physical defects or faults in a rental property that the landlord is responsible for repairing. Gemeentelijke Basis Administratie The municipal population register (now officially called the Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) where all residents of the Netherlands must register their home address. Gemeubileerd A rental property that comes fully equipped with furniture, appliances, and household essentials such as a bed, sofa, dining table, washing machine, and often kitchenware. Gestoffeerd A rental property that includes floor coverings (such as carpet or laminate), curtains, and basic fixtures like lighting, but no movable furniture. GGD Keuring An inspection carried out by the municipal health service (GGD) to assess whether a rental property meets minimum health and safety standards.
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Hospitaverhuur A specific type of rental where the landlord lives in the same property and rents out a room to a tenant. Huurbescherming The set of legal protections that prevent a landlord from arbitrarily terminating a tenancy or raising rent beyond legal limits. Huurcommissie An independent government body that resolves disputes between tenants and landlords regarding rent prices, service charges, maintenance, and other rental issues. Huurcontract The legally binding agreement between a landlord (verhuurder) and a tenant (huurder) that sets out the terms and conditions of the tenancy, including the rent amount, deposit, duration, house rules, and responsibilities. Huurdersvereniging An organization that represents the collective interests of tenants, typically within a specific housing complex, neighborhood, or woningcorporatie. Huurprijscheck A free tool provided by the Huurcommissie that lets tenants calculate the maximum allowable rent for their property based on the points system. Huurtoeslag A monthly government subsidy administered by the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority) to help low- and middle-income tenants afford their rent. Huurverhoging The annual increase in rent that a landlord may apply.
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Inboedelverzekering An insurance policy that covers your personal belongings inside your rental property against damage or loss from events such as fire, theft, water damage, and storms. Inkomenseis The minimum gross income that a landlord or letting agent requires a prospective tenant to earn, usually expressed as a multiple of the monthly rent.
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Kaal A rental property delivered in its most basic state: bare floors, no curtains, no light fixtures beyond electrical connections, and no appliances. Kadaster The official Dutch land registry that records information about all properties and land parcels in the Netherlands, including ownership details, boundaries, and registered rights such as mortgages and easements. Kamerverhuur The rental of individual rooms within a larger property, where tenants typically share common areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.
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Onderhoud The upkeep and repair of a rental property. Onderhuur The practice of renting out part or all of your rental property to a third party. Onzelfstandige Woonruimte A rental unit where essential facilities like the kitchen, bathroom, or toilet are shared with other tenants. Opzegtermijn The minimum period of advance notice required before either party can terminate a rental contract. Overlast Persistent disturbance or nuisance caused by a neighbor or tenant, such as excessive noise, intimidation, or illegal activities.
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Schouwrapport A detailed written report documenting the condition of a rental property at the time of move-in and move-out. Servicekosten Additional charges on top of the base rent (kale huur) that cover shared services and facilities such as cleaning of communal areas, elevator maintenance, lighting in hallways, and sometimes furniture or shared internet. Sociale Huur Regulated rental housing with a monthly rent below the liberalisatiegrens, typically owned and managed by woningcorporaties (housing corporations).
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Woningcorporatie A non-profit organization that builds, manages, and rents out affordable social housing. Woningruil An arrangement where two tenants swap their rental properties with the approval of their respective landlords. Woonvergunning A permit required by some municipalities (notably Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht) to occupy certain rental properties. WOZ-waarde The official valuation of a property determined annually by the municipality under the Wet Waardering Onroerende Zaken (WOZ).
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