How the homestay rental contract with a 9-month trial period works
How does the Dutch homestay (hospita) rental contract with a 9-month trial period work? This article explains the rules, termination options, tenant protection and upcoming changes in the hospita rental law.
Renting out a room in the home you live in — known in the Netherlands as homestay rental — is one of the most accessible ways to rent out housing. However, many hosts and tenants have questions: what type of contract should you use, what does the 9-month trial period mean, and when does tenant protection begin?
In this article we explain how the homestay rental contract works, why Hospi Housing uses this contract by default, and what may change with the upcoming homestay rental law.
What is the homestay rental contract?
Homestay rental refers to renting out a room in the home where the landlord also lives. Typically this means:
- the host lives in the same house
- the tenant rents a room (non-independent living space)
- facilities such as kitchen or bathroom are shared
At Hospi Housing we use a rental agreement for an indefinite period with a 9-month trial period. This structure follows the Dutch legal framework for homestay rentals.
Are you a landlord and do you have one or more housing units you want to rent out? Then a different type of contract is needed, but Hospi Housing can also definitely help out. Read this article to see what type of contract works best for you and how we can help you find a suitable tenant and have a worry-free rental period.
What the 9-month trial period means
One of the key features of homestay rental is the 9-month trial period. During this time, both host and tenant can experience what it is like to share a home. Since living together in the same house requires trust and compatibility, this period allows both parties to assess the situation.
For hosts
- The host may terminate the agreement within the first 9 months
- A 3-month notice period applies
- Termination must be done in writing
For tenants
- Tenants can terminate the agreement at any time
- They must give at least 1 month notice
What happens after the 9 months?
After the trial period ends, the tenant receives tenancy protection under Dutch law. This means the host can no longer simply terminate the agreement. Termination is only possible under specific legal grounds defined in Dutch civil law.
The trial period therefore gives both parties time to determine whether the living arrangement works before full tenant protection applies. It is one of the main reasons host give why they start renting.
Why use a contract via Hospi Housing?
Using a clear and legally appropriate contract is essential when renting out a room in your home. The Hospi Housing contract is designed specifically for homestay rentals and aligned with Dutch housing law. By arranging the contract through Hospi Housing, hosts and tenants can also benefit from additional services such as:
- support during the matching process
- clear agreements between host and tenant
- Hospi Housing safety guarantees and services during the rental period, also if things are not going well
- management of the deposit and rental contracts
- safe and easy transfer and overview of the monthly rental payments
It is important to note that Hospi Housing is not a party to the rental agreement and does not act as the landlord. The agreement is always between the host and tenant.
Other types of rental contracts
In the Netherlands, there are several other rental contract types, including:
- temporary rental contracts
- standard indefinite rental contracts (when the landlord is not living in the rented property)
- campus contracts or target group contracts
These are usually used for self-contained homes or situations where the landlord does not live in the same property. For homestay rentals, the homestay contract is typically the most suitable option and standardly used by Hospi Housing.
Upcoming homestay rental law
The Dutch government is working on a legislative change intended to make hospitaverhuur more attractive. A key proposal is that hosts will be able to combine the 9-month trial period with a temporary contract of up to 5 years.This means that after the initial trial period, the contract could continue as a temporary rental agreement.
The new law is expected to take effect around July 2026 or January 2027. Hospi Housing will update its contracts once the legislation comes into force. Interested in homestay rental but not yet started? Or don't know where to start? Create an account, schedule your personal intake with Hospi Housing and we will get in touch!