Geef Tijdelijk Thuis: a partnership for more affordable housing
You might have seen it here and there: Geef Tijdelijk Thuis. But what is it and what do they do? We'll explain about the partnership that Hospi Housing plays a big part in.
You may have seen the name before: Geef Tijdelijk Thuis. Hospi Housing is part of it, together with Kamers met Aandacht and Onder de Pannen. Three organisations, three target groups, but one shared belief: there is more housing space in the Netherlands than we sometimes think. Not only in new construction projects or large student housing complexes, but simply in people’s homes. In this blog, we explain what Geef Tijdelijk Thuis is, what we do and what we have already achieved.
More housing without building
The housing shortage is serious. Students, young people, starters and people in vulnerable situations often search for months to find an affordable place to live. At the same time, a lot of space in existing homes remains unused. Not because people do not want to help, but often because they are unsure about what is allowed.
Am I allowed to rent out a room? Could it affect my mortgage, housing allowance or benefits? What if it does not work out? And what do I need to arrange with the municipality, housing corporation or insurance company?
These are very understandable questions. But they are also exactly the questions that cause many rooms to remain empty.
With Geef Tijdelijk Thuis, we want to lower those barriers. By providing clear information, working together with municipalities and housing corporations, and showing that homestay rental can be safe, social and well organised.
Who does what?
Geef Tijdelijk Thuis is a collaboration between three independent organisations, each supporting its own target group.
Hospi Housing helps students, starters and other room seekers find a place to live in people’s homes. We support hosts and tenants from registration throughout the rental period.
Kamers met Aandacht finds rooms for young people aged 18 to 23 who are leaving youth care and could still use some extra support.
Onder de Pannen helps people who are temporarily without a home due to a sudden crisis, such as a break-up or job loss.
Separately, we help very different people. But together, we often run into the same questions: rules that differ per municipality, uncertainty among housing corporations, concerns from mortgage lenders and doubts among people who may want to rent out a room, but do not know exactly how. That is why we work together.
What we do together
Geef Tijdelijk Thuis is not a new platform where you book a room or find a tenant. Each of the three organisations continues to do its own work. What we do together is build better conditions for homestay rental in the Netherlands.
We share knowledge, run campaigns, help municipalities and housing corporations with policy and talk to mortgage lenders, knowledge institutions and national policymakers. Because if we want to make better use of existing housing, it also needs to be clear and practical for residents to take part.
The movement is growing. Together, the organisations behind Geef Tijdelijk Thuis now represent more than 140 collaborations with municipalities, housing corporations and partners, more than 100.000 housing seekers on the platforms and more than 10.000 hosts and guest families who have opened up their homes.
That shows that homestay rental is not just a nice idea, but a concrete addition to tackling the housing shortage. A solution that can already help today, without further delays.
Why now?
Building new homes remains essential. But building takes time. Meanwhile, people are looking for a place to live today. That is why it would be a shame to leave existing space unused.
Homestay rental can be arranged relatively quickly. Nothing needs to be built, no large project is required, and one room can already make a real difference for one person. At the same time, it also gives the host something in return: extra income, social contact and a simple way to contribute.
That makes homestay rental small in scale, but big in impact.
The hospitaverhuur law is getting closer
One important topic we are currently working on is the new legislation around hospitaverhuur, the Dutch form of homestay rental.
The bill is meant to remove a number of barriers we often encounter in practice. Think of more clarity about ending a homestay contract when the home is sold or when the host passes away, a special homestay contract of up to five years with a nine-month trial period, and more financial clarity for tenants who want to start hosting themselves.
For many potential hosts, these are exactly the points they worry about. What happens if I want to sell my home? Will I be stuck with a contract that no longer fits my situation? And could my tenant’s income affect my own financial situation?
The bill is expected to be sent to the House of Representatives shortly. If the parliamentary process runs smoothly, implementation could possibly follow in January or July 2027. That makes this an important moment: the law can make homestay rental easier, but practice needs to be ready too.
From rules to practice
Legislation alone is not enough. Homestay rental should not only be legally possible, but also practically workable. That is often where the real challenge lies.
Municipalities need clear policies. Housing corporations need to know when they can give permission. Mortgage lenders and insurers need to understand that homestay rental is different from commercial renting. And hosts need a place to go with their questions.
That is why, alongside the legislative process, we continue to focus on guidance, collaboration and clear information. Only when rules, policy and practice come together can homestay rental really grow.
Want to know more?
Do you want to learn more about the collaboration? Visit geeftijdelijkthuis.nl.
Do you have a spare room and want to know what is possible? Hospi Housing is happy to help you get started - step by step, with clear information and personal guidance. Sign up here.