Upcoming legal reform makes homestay rental more accessible in the Netherlands
After the announcement of former Minister of Housing Huge de Jonge in 2023, the new Homestay Law is finally here. We will tell you about what will change.
The long-anticipated legal reform aimed at making homestay rental more accessible and attractive has almost entered parliamentary treatment. After years of advocacy, policy discussions and active involvement in shaping the legislation, Hospi Housing welcomes this important milestone. What exactly will change - and what does it mean for hosts and room seekers?
An important step for homestay rental
After years of policy discussions and research, the proposed legal reform aimed at making homestay rental more attractive and accessible has officially been sent to the Dutch Council of State for legal review.
The initiative was originally launched in 2023 by former Minister Hugo de Jonge, who set the process in motion to better facilitate home sharing and unlock existing housing capacity. Minister Mona Keijzer is now continuing this legislative trajectory.
For Hospi Housing, this is a significant milestone. Over the past years, we have actively lobbied for these changes and maintained close contact with both ministers. We provided practical insights, shared real-life experiences from hosts and tenants, and contributed concrete proposals during the drafting process.
What will change in the new law?
The reform introduces several important improvements:
➤ A dedicated homestay rental contract up to five years
A new temporary contract of up to five years will be introduced specifically for homestay rental, including a nine-month trial period.
This replaces the outdated one-year rule from the 1990s, which automatically converted into a permanent contract after one year. Research shows that both hosts and tenants prefer a longer, yet temporary arrangement.
➤ Shorter termination period in the first month
During the first month, the contract can be terminated with one month’s notice. After that, the standard three-month notice period applies. This lowers the threshold for hosts to start renting out a room.
➤ Termination possible upon sale
The contract can be terminated if the property is sold (including forced sale) or in case of the host’s death. This change is particularly important for homeowners and mortgage lenders. Currently, many lenders do not allow homestay rental because tenant protection during sale creates financial risk.
The expectation is that, once this law is implemented, mortgage providers will be more willing to permit homestay rental.
➤ Exemption from income-dependent rent increases
For tenants who become hosts in a rental property, the income of the homestay tenant will no longer count towards income-based rent increases. This makes homestay rental financially more attractive.
Why this reform matters
Homestay rental is one of the fastest ways to add affordable housing within the existing housing stock. Research shows a potential of approximately 100,000 additional rooms nationwide. For hosts, this reform means:
- Greater legal clarity
- More flexibility
- Reduced financial risks
- Increased likelihood of mortgage approval
For tenants, it means:
- More available rooms
- Longer possible stays (up to five years)
- Greater housing opportunities
Hospi Housing’s role
This reform did not happen by chance.
Over the past years, Hospi Housing has consistently highlighted legal bottlenecks and advocated for practical solutions. We engaged directly with policymakers, participated in consultations, and ensured that real-life experiences shaped the legislation.
The fact that the final proposal reflects many of these points shows the importance of involving practitioners in policymaking.
We will continue to closely monitor the legislative process and keep our community informed as soon as further developments occur.
To be continued.