News item | 15-07-2025 | 12:11
Municipalities get more options for tackling vacancy by adjustments to the Leegstandwet. In this way, municipalities can oblige owners that a building must be inhabited again or in use. The aim is to use the housing stock as well as possible and to limit vacancy as much as possible. From today, the adjustments will go into internet consultation, where everyone can respond to the plans. That is possible up to and including 9 September. Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning Minister Mona Keijzer then sends the proposal to the Council of State for advice. This is followed by a proposal to the Lower House.
Due to the proposed amendment, municipalities get more effective powers to prevent vacancy. For example, the municipality may enter a living space in the suspicion of long -term vacancy. In addition, the college can issue a collective permit for temporary rental. This only applies to living spaces in a building and with demolition and (re) new construction. A collective permit bundles several rental permits in one application. This is more efficient and ensures fewer administrative burdens. The municipality will soon be allowed to request the energy consumption of a building from the network operator to check whether the building is vacant. This benefits efficient enforcement.
Adjustment Rules of temporary rental Homes for sale
There will be stricter rules for the temporary rental of homes that are for sale.
Due to the tight housing market and to prevent abuse, owners can now temporarily rent out a house for sale for a maximum of 2 years instead of 5 years. The home valuation system (WWS) will apply again for the rental of these buildings. The owner must also be able to prove that the long -term vacant property cannot be sold.
Finally, the municipal nomination of tenants for a vacant building is replaced by a mandatory period within which a building must be in use again. It is up to the owner to find a resident or user within this period.