Termination of Temporary Rental Agreement by Landlord in Utr

In Utrecht, with its vibrant rental market around the canals and university districts such as De Uithof, a landlord may terminate a temporary rental agreement, but only under strict conditions. Article 7:274 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) prescribes a notice period of one month and requires a valid reason, such as own use, urgent maintenance or renovation. Without a proper ground or too short a period, the termination is null and void. As a tenant, you do not need to agree; the contract ends automatically, but in case of eviction threat, you can lodge a defense with the District Court of Midden-Nederland in Utrecht. The landlord must convincingly prove the reason, for example with documents regarding planned renovations in the city center. Exception for Utrecht housing corporations such as Portaal or Bo-Ex: urgent own use counts as a compelling interest, partly due to the tight housing market. Tenants' rights: in case of forced departure due to landlord's fault, you may claim a relocation allowance. In practice around Utrecht student flats and residential areas such as Kanaleneiland, improper terminations often lead to court cases before the district court judge. Document all correspondence, such as letters from the landlord, and immediately contact the Juridisch Loket in Utrecht (at Mariaplaats). After termination, rent protection lapses, but the judge will always hear you before eviction. Extra tip for Utrechters: check the municipality website for local rental rules and nuisance reporting point. (278 words)