News item | 02-10-2025 | 09:20
Minister Mona Keijzer of Housing and Spatial Planning has today sent the instruction rule to the Lower House that requires municipalities to allow existing occupation of recreational homes under certain conditions. With this, the minister wants to offer current residents of recreational homes certainty about their living situation, as long as there is a shortage of affordable homes. The instruction rule applies ten years from entry into force.
It is known that they live permanently in a holiday home of around 60,000, while this is usually not allowed. The actual number of permanent residents of holiday homes is higher.
“With this instruction rule I offer residents certainty,” says Minister Mona Keijzer. “Many residents of recreational homes live in uncertainty because permanent residence is not formally permitted, but because of the housing shortage is not an option. With this instruction rule we legalize habitation for a period of ten years, so that people do not have to be afraid to be put out of the house in times of housing shorts.”
The instruction rule is explicitly intended for people who have no alternative to their current living situation. As soon as there are enough affordable homes, the need for this measure will lapse. That is why the instruction rule applies for 10 years. The instruction rule is evaluated after 8 years.
Existing residents
Through the instruction rule, municipalities are instructed to allow existing cases of habitation of recreational homes in the environmental plan. The instruction rule only applies to people who have been living in a recreational home for some time from 16 May 2024 (Presentation of the Cabinet Cabinet) and have not had any other home for some time. A registration at the address or other supporting documents can be used to demonstrate permanent residence. Furthermore, the property must meet certain minimum requirements in the field of safety and health that also apply to regular homes.
In some cases, if recreational homes are legally inhabited, residents are entitled to housing allowance. In the coming period, the Ministry of VRO will investigate together with the Surcharges department what this means for implementation and costs.