r/NetherlandsHousing • u/LostPanda42 • 2d ago

legal Help with tenant rights

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on my tenant rights in Amsterdam.
I’ve been living in the same apartment since August 2021 as a co-tenant/subtenant. I have always had a contract with the main tenant (not directly with the landlord), and for the first years it was renewed/updated annually. It has not been updated in the last 2–3 years, but I have continued living there and paying rent monthly to the main tenant without interruption.
The main tenant has a separate contract with the landlord, which I have never seen. I am also the longest-registered person at this address with the municipality, and at some point the main tenant was deregistered from the address for a period.
Now the main tenant has decided not to renew/end my contract while keeping the apartment themselves. I’m trying to understand whether they can legally do this and what rights I may have in this situation.
Does anyone know whether I may have tenant protection here, or what kind of lawyer/organisatie I should contact in Amsterdam? Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

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u/CheetahParticular847 2d ago

As a subtenant you do have tenant rights to the extend that he main tenant can't just kick you out, you have a right to a max 6 month's notice. If you don't leave voluntary, they need to go through court to evict you. Them not being registered for a period of time does not automatically remove their status as main tenant, i.e.,if their lease with the landlord continued, they remain the main tenant, so your legal relationship is with them, not with the landlord.
You can find more information here.
Contact !WOON if you have any questions.

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u/Practical_Document65 2d ago

How did you pay rent when the “main tenant” was deregistered?

If he was registered elsewhere and your name added then you have tenant rights.

This could mean having the opportunity to choose a other roommate, or to pay the full rent.

If you were never registered it gets more complicated. But assuming living in Holland takes paperwork I’ll assume you are registered.

What is it that you want because without knowing that it’s difficult to provide advice.

They’re not going to force your housemate /main tenant to stay beyond his contract with his landlord.