Plans to stop two-year rental contracts may fail in senate

Plans to stop landlords from issuing their tenants with two-year rental contracts may come unstuck now the pro-countryside BBB party has decided to vote against it.

The measure was passed by a clear majority in the lower house but has yet to be voted on in the senate.

BBB leader Caroline van der Plas voted in favour of the measure in parliament but her party is now set to oppose the measure in the senate, where the BBB is the biggest party with 16 seats.

BBB senators say it should be up to home owners to decide if they want to rent their property on a permanent or temporary basis. The CDA, with six seats, is still undecided, meaning supporters of the measure can only count on 34 of the 38 votes needed for the legislation to pass.

Landlords were given the option of two-year contracts in 2016 because, ministers said, the measure would boost the supply of rental housing. However, that actual impact was one of increasing tenant uncertainty and boosting rental prices, campaigners say.

The proposal, drawn up by PvdA MP Henk Nijboer and ChristenUnie’s Pieter Grinwis, would still allow landlords to cancel tenancies if they need the property for a parent or child to live in.

People who move abroad for work are also currently allowed to rent out their property for a limited period and that right would remain.

The vote will take place next Tuesday.