An Amsterdam landlord is trying to cancel a rental contract signed with a Russian woman on the basis of her nationality, the city’s housing watchdog Stichting Woon said on Friday.

The woman signed the rental agreement on January 1 for 12 months but this week was told that because of the international sanctions, the contract was being cancelled with immediate effect.

‘Putting someone out of their house on the basis of their nationality is illegal,’ foundation spokesman Gert Jan Bakker told local broadcaster AT5.

The woman is being supported legally by her employer, Bakker said. ‘She does have a temporary contract, so will have to leave after 12 months.’

Huurder meldt zich bij !WOON. Ze heeft een huuropzegging ontvangen puur en alleen omdat ze de Russische nationaliteit heeft, de verhuurder wil daarom van haar af. Dat kan natuurlijk niet. Er kan natuurlijk geen sprake zijn van een huuropzegging op basis van nationaliteit.

— !WOON (@stichtingwoon) March 2, 2022

Bakker declined to say who the landlord was, but said it is a medium sized housing company with multiple properties in the city.

Discrimination

The Gelderlander newspaper reported earlier this week that people with Russian or Belarus nationality are being banned from taking part in the this year’s Vierdaagse four day march.

Dual Russian and Dutch nationals can take part but all others are being excluded, the paper said.

Around 30 Russian nationals usually take part in the event, the organisers said.

Are you Russian and are you experiencing problems because of the war or sanctions? We’d be interested in talking to you for an article. Contact editor@dutchnews.nl.