After The Hague and Amsterdam, Utrecht also wants to introduce ‘purchase protection’
Renting is only allowed under strict conditions. The new rule is an attempt by the municipality to be investors and give first-time buyers a chance in the tight housing market.
Many cities are taking advantage of the national implementation of the Purchase Protection Act. After Amsterdam The Hague, Utrecht is one of the cities that applies the planning for the entire city. Other cities, such as Rotterdam, designate districts where the purchase protection legislation.
‘This law will make a difference’
Alderman Kees Diepenveen of Utrecht is hopeful of a better situation for house seekers through this law. People who want to live for themselves now have to work with investors, he says. “That leads to more scarce and direct house prices. We plan to implement all means. There are certainly differences in making.”
The law has been in effect since January 1 of this year and gives opportunities to introduce a purchase protection. Only existing owner-occupied homes are covered by the law.
If a house falls under purchase protection, an owner of her house is not allowed to rent out her house for four years, on behalf of direct family parents, brothers, sisters and (grand) children. Due to the WOZ value of 440,000 euros, about 60 percent of the housing stock in Utrecht falls under the law.
The Utrecht city council still has to approve the proposal. Once that has been arranged, the purchase protection will apply from mid-March.