Temporary rental in the Netherlands: what's still possible

What is a temporary rental?

In a temporary rental, the landlord and tenant agree on a fixed rental period in advance. Unlike an open-ended lease, this gives the tenant less rental protection. When the agreed period ends, the landlord can end the rental, provided the legal conditions and notice requirements are met.

What changed since July 2024

The Fixed Rental Contracts Act came into force on 1 July 2024 and made open-ended rental contracts the legal standard in the Netherlands. As a result, new temporary leases (also known as contract type B) are only permitted in specific, legally defined cases.

When is a temporary lease still allowed?

A temporary lease may only be used for specific tenant groups, including:

• International or non-resident students staying temporarily for study;
• Tenants displaced because of home renovations;
• People transitioning from social care or in emergency housing need;
• Young people (aged 16 to 27) taking over a deceased parent's rental;
• Recently separated parents renting temporarily to live near their children;
• Workers temporarily stationed on the Wadden Islands;
• Refugees (status holders) leaving a COA shelter.

In practice, letting to students is the most viable and widely accepted case. It is the only group with a large supply of tenants, which means you can be selective when matching a suitable tenant to a property.

The other route is an intermediate rental contract, also called the diplomatic clause. This lets you rent out your property temporarily while you go abroad for a while. Both options, letting to students and renting out during a temporary stay abroad for work, living or holiday, are covered below.

Renting out to students

Students, and international students in particular, are still eligible for a temporary lease. The key is being able to prove that the student is staying only temporarily in Amsterdam or its surroundings for educational purposes. Solid documentation matters here: it justifies the use of a temporary contract and keeps you compliant with current rental law.

Renting out via a diplomatic clause

Planning to live abroad for a while? You may qualify for a temporary rental via a diplomatic clause contract (a type C lease). This intermediate agreement suits you if you are leaving for work, travel or study but intend to return and live in your property after the lease ends.

How Balatin can help

If you are weighing up temporary rental options for your house or apartment, the plan has to fit the current legal framework. Balatin can help you:

• Work out whether a temporary lease is allowed in your case;
• Choose between a type B or type C contract;
• Draft a rental agreement that holds up legally.

To weigh up the routes, it helps to understand the full picture of Dutch rental contract types and the wider 2024 rental rules before you decide.

Ready to rent out the right way? List your property with Balatin or get in touch for advice on letting out your home temporarily.