Termination of a Short-Term Lease Agreement in Utrecht
In Utrecht, where the rental market is tight due to the thriving student population and universities such as the UU and HU, a short-term lease agreement often ends automatically on the agreed end date, as intended in Article 7:232 DCC. If the tenant wishes to terminate earlier, this must be done in writing, observing the notice period under Article 7:271(1) DCC, unless otherwise agreed. Landlords in Utrecht may not unilaterally terminate without judicial review, especially not in popular neighbourhoods such as Kanaleneiland or Lombok.
Procedure for Automatic Termination in Utrecht
The landlord must inform the tenant in Utrecht in writing at least one month before expiry about the termination. If this does not happen, the tenant may claim continuation under normal conditions. Local disputes often end up with the Rent Tribunal in Utrecht, which recently imposes stricter requirements on temporary contracts due to the high demand for affordable housing near the city centre and Utrecht Centraal station.
Rights in Case of Unlawful Termination for Utrecht Tenants
If a landlord in Utrecht attempts to evict the property before the end date without a valid reason, this violates Article 7:231 DCC. Tenants can claim damages via the subdistrict court in Utrecht or involve the Rent Tribunal. Note: temporary letting must comply with strict statutory conditions, otherwise full rent protection applies. Case law from the District Court of Midden-Nederland shows that judges in Utrecht declare contracts invalid in cases of abuse, with retroactive effect to regular tenancy, such as in cases involving student housing.