The municipality of Emmen is introducing purchase protection in the districts of Emmermeer, Angelslo, Emmerhout and Bargeres. The measure is intended to discourage investors in particular from stealing homes from the noses of first-time buyers and middle-income earners. The policy applies for a period of four years for real estate up to a value of 250,000 euros.
Buyers of houses in this price range must live in the house for at least four years. Renting out such a house is only permitted if the owner has a permit and on condition that the rent is ‘reasonable’ in relation to the local housing supply.
The housing market in Emmen is still crowded and scarce in terms of cheap homes. First-time buyers and young people in particular often miss a cheap home, because investors with slightly deeper pockets buy houses. Emmen is popular in that respect, especially because municipalities such as Assen, Zwolle and Groningen have already taken protective measures. Until now, investors in Emmen still had free rein.
The housing supply in the four aforementioned neighborhoods in particular appears to be robbery. The houses are the cheapest there and therefore in demand. An additional problem is that the quality of life suffers from private rental in the four Emmer districts. The more that is rented out, the more social problems arise, the municipality notes. The municipality has therefore committed to protecting the housing supply up to 250,000 euros.
About three-quarters of private rentals currently fall within this category. The municipality estimates that 85 percent of the homes in three districts are protected with the purchase protection. In Emmermeer this is slightly lower (65 percent).
The regulation applies for a period of four years. If after that period there is again a lopsided situation, the city council can decide to extend the measure.
D66 already argued in 2021 for research into a self-occupancy obligation for new construction. The party found supporters in GroenLinks, Wakker Emmen, SP and 50Plus, after which the council decided to take measures. Since January 2022, national policy has made it possible for municipalities to actually implement this.
Investors still have room to move in other parts of Emmen. It is therefore taken into account that the interest of investors will move to other districts. Emmen therefore keeps an eye on things. If scarcity also occurs in other districts or locations, the policy can still be adjusted here.
The city council has yet to give its blessing to the introduction of purchase protection. Given the broad support in 2021, this seems like a mere formality.