Rent Out Your Apartment in Rotterdam

Since July 2024, legislation regarding temporary rental agreements has become significantly stricter. Standard fixed-term rental contracts have largely been abolished to provide tenants with greater security. Tenants now acquire rental rights more quickly, meaning they are often entitled to remain in the property. However, specific types of rental agreements (such as contracts for designated target groups or interim rental agreements) still allow temporary letting in Rotterdam. HouseHunting Rotterdam will gladly advise you on which type of contract best suits your property and personal situation.

This is the most commonly used standard rental agreement. It includes a minimum rental period during which the tenant cannot terminate the lease (usually 12 months). This provides you, as the landlord, with a guaranteed rental income during that period. Please note that, as a landlord, you cannot simply terminate this agreement during or after the minimum term.

Our tip: In an international rental market such as Rotterdam, this type of agreement is often used for expats. While there is no contractual guarantee, the likelihood of expats remaining in the property for many years is generally limited.

A fixed-term rental agreement (minimum 6 and maximum 24 months) is only permitted for specific target groups defined by Dutch law. These include:

• Young people: all tenants under the age of 28
• Students: Dutch and international students—a particularly relevant group in a student city like Rotterdam
• People going through a divorce: tenants who wish to live closer to their children
• Temporarily displaced persons: people who need temporary accommodation because their own home is undergoing renovation or maintenance work

An interim rental agreement (also known as the diplomatic clause) is intended for homeowners who temporarily leave their property in Rotterdam—for example, because of work abroad or extended travel. The owner deregisters from the property but has the clear intention of returning to live there at a later date.

A fixed rental period is agreed upon during which neither the tenant nor the landlord can terminate the agreement. This type of agreement has no maximum duration and can be extended. If the agreement is extended, the landlord is subject to a notice period of one calendar month.

The Dutch Housing Valuation System (WWS) has been tightened to better protect the mid-market rental sector. Previously, properties with 143 points or more qualified for the liberalised rental market. Today, that threshold has shifted, and properties with up to and including 186 points fall within the regulated rental sector (social and mid-market housing).

In addition, factors such as a favourable energy label and quality amenities (for example, outdoor space) now carry significantly more weight in the points calculation. This is particularly relevant for many properties in Rotterdam neighbourhoods such as Delfshaven and Feijenoord, where not all homes have yet been upgraded to modern energy-efficiency standards.

If your property scores fewer than 187 WWS points, it falls within the regulated rental sector. This means you are legally required to charge no more than the maximum rent associated with that points total.

If you would like to charge a higher rent, you can increase your property’s WWS score by investing in improvements, such as enhancing its energy efficiency to achieve a better energy label or upgrading its facilities and amenities. A higher points total allows you to charge a higher maximum rent for your property in Rotterdam.