General rules for room rental

Renting out a room in your own home, known in the Netherlands as hospitaverhuur, is well regulated and less complicated than many people think. This page sets out the main national rules so you can get started with confidence. You'll also find the official explanation at Rijksoverheid (in Dutch).

What exactly is hospita rental?

With hospita rental you rent out part of the home you live in yourself, sharing facilities such as the kitchen, toilet and bathroom. That is what sets it apart from renting out a self-contained dwelling.

The basic conditions:

• You live in the property yourself (rented or owned, it doesn't matter).
• The tenant is 18 or older.
• You are not each other's partners and you are both registered at the same address.
• You put the arrangements in a written rental contract.

The first 9 months: the trial period

The great thing about hospita rental is its built-in flexibility. The first nine months count as a trial period. During that time you, as the landlord, can end the contract without having to give a reason, which is handy if living together unexpectedly doesn't click.

Does the tenant stay on after nine months? Then the contract continues automatically and the tenant gains normal tenant protection. The notice period is then three months for you as the landlord, and usually one month for the tenant.

Registering with the municipality

Your tenant registers with the municipality (in the Personal Records Database, BRP) at your address, as a (sub)tenant. This is a legal requirement and it matters: a tenant correctly registered as a subtenant does not count as a co-resident for your benefits and allowances.

A fair, written contract

Since the Good Landlordship Act (Wet goed verhuurderschap, 2023) there are clear basic rules for landlords. The key ones: put the arrangements in writing, don't ask for an unreasonable deposit (no more than two months' rent) and treat every applicant equally. Through Hospi Housing we arrange the contract properly for you, so that's one thing less to worry about.

Tax on your rental income

Own your home? In 2026 you may receive up to €6,633 in rental income tax-free thanks to the room-rental exemption. Read our article on the room-rental tax exemption to see exactly how it works and what to watch for.

Is the law about to change?

Yes. A new Hospita Rental Act is in the making, designed to make hospita rental even more attractive. We follow these developments closely and do everything we can to keep hospita rental simple and fair, for hosts and tenants alike.

And in your municipality?

The national rules apply everywhere, but municipalities can add their own, for example about renting rooms to several people. Check your province and municipality page in this Help Center for the local details.