Homeowners who invest in energy efficiency (zero energy homes) can pass on investment costs to their tenants. This fixed “energy power offset” replaces the regular (and, in most cases, higher) energy bill that their tenants have to pay. A short-term lease may be renewed. However, in this case, the tenancy agreement is automatically amended for an indeterminate period in a tenancy agreement offering the tenant maximum rental protection. This is also the case when the first term was less than two years. If the landlord does not inform the tenant of the period between 3 months and 1 month before the agreed duration or does not provide the required formalities, the tenancy agreement automatically switches to an indeterminate tenancy agreement. The Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie) is a national, independent and impartial agency that can arbitrate and rule on disputes between tenants and landlords over the amount of rent, maintenance and service costs. If the lease is completed, but the landlord does not yet intend to reside in the house, it is possible to enter into the same lease with a new tenant. Section 3.5 provides that the tenant loses a fine if he does not retire on the agreed date. If the tenant increases the fine in court proceedings, the court cannot always accept the fine.

The houses will be subject to a lease. The agreement defines the conditions agreed by the tenant and the landlord. It defines the amount of rent and whether the lease is for a fixed or indeterminate period. It must contain the following: DISCLAIMER CLAUSE This sample of housing rental agreement is a policy for the interests of landlords and tenants. This model of agreement is therefore not exhaustive and should not contain provisions on all the circumstances relating to the contractual relationship between a lessor and a tenant. The government assumes no responsibility for losses resulting from this model contract or the contractual relationship of a lessor or tenant. Confidence in this model agreement is at its own risk. When a fixed-term lease is entered into for a lease term of more than two years, other rules apply. This lease is very similar to an indeterminate lease.

Authorization for the vacancy law is always time-limited and should be extended on time, upon request, by requesting the municipality. If the landlord and tenant wish to extend the tenancy agreement on the basis of the vacancy law until a date after the expiry of the authorization period, the landlord must ask the municipality to renew its licence before the expiry of the tenancy agreement. If the tenant does not do so (on time), the tenant can count on the protection of the tenants. However, if the authorization is renewed, the landlord forgets to inform the tenant before the expiration of the tenancy agreement: even then, the tenant can count on the protection of the tenant. The tenant has the option of letting the tenant committee decide if the agreed base rental price is not too high. The tenant has up to 6 months after the end of the lease. The legislation is not entirely clear on this point, but it is assumed that it is “six months after the expiry of the agreed tenancy period”. If the property is worth 143 points or more, it is liberalized and belongs to the free sector. The tenants` committee then leaves the rent unchanged. If the property is worth 142 points or less, then the rental committee will determine the rent at the maximum legal level related to the number of points in the house.

The tenants` committee will do so retroactively until the lease begins. For an investor with several properties, it is advantageous for a tenant to rent for as long as possible.