Find out what you should be aware of when buying a property with a partner in the Netherlands. Are you planning to buy a home with your partner? Any plans to get married or register a partnership? If you are planning to buy a property with someone, first ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you planning to share financial responsibilities?
2. Are you planning to marry or enter a registered partnership?
3. Do you have a fixed or flexible income?
4. How will you share the equity or debt?

Register partnership or marriage

When getting married or in a registered partnership, a local community of property has been the norm since January 1, 2018. Alternatively, you can use a civil-law notary to draft a prenuptial or partnership agreement if you don't want that. Your owner-occupied home and mortgage debt are usually included in the community. If one of you passes away, the other can remain at home.

Cohabitation contract

A cohabitation contract states that you are co-owners of the home and jointly liable for the mortgage obligation. The mortgage costs might be proportionally divided. Furthermore, in the cohabitation contract, you often specify which household products are shared and which are not and how much you contribute to the household costs.

Sharing financial responsibility

When taking a mortgage together with a partner or alone, there are many topics to discuss. As partners, you can make agreements about the following:

1. What happens if you decide to separate or divorce one day?
2. How do you pay monthly mortgage payments?
3. How much money did you put into the house when you bought it jointly?

It is also essential to consider and think about what happens to a property when one of you passes away. In the event of death, the ownership automatically passes to the surviving partner, according to the legislation. However, this natural automation only applies to marrying or having a registered relationship. If you intend to live together 'normally,' you must specify in your will that the residence will pass to the surviving spouse.

If you are not married, the residence will be passed down to your legal heirs, for example, your parents. In this case, it is always good to draw will at the notary. It is recommended to take care of the partnership, prenuptial agreement, and will before signing a transfer deed at the notary.

Mortgage registration

How the mortgage is registered depends on the agreement between the two partners. When you buy a property with a partner in the Netherlands, you have two options: getting married or registering your partnership. If you do so in a community of property, the house or debt you buy becomes automatically yours and your partner's. If you do not want to share property or debt with your parent, you can draft a prenuptial agreement at the notary. When a property is registered at the Dutch Land Registry, it is essential to know that the division of purchase has been officially formalized. Any further changes require a new deed drawn by a notary.

Can I also buy a home with my friend, family member or colleague?

Short answer: yes. There is no restriction regarding the relationship between you and the other one(s) jointly applying for a mortgage.

The joint mortgage or co-housing works for all kinds of relationships, including family members, friends, and colleagues, among many others. Buying with friends instead of partners can be an ideal solution, especially if you're single and find it difficult to afford a home with only one income.

Mortgages with friends or others work almost the same as those with partners. When you set up a mortgage for multiple individuals, you become each other's tax partners and are commonly reliable for the mortgage payment.
Similar benefits and risks apply to joint mortgages with friends. The biggest advantage is that it eases your financial burden since you will share the monthly costs with someone else. Meanwhile, combining several incomes for mortgage calculation allows you to borrow a higher amount and afford a property with better living conditions.
However, you still need to arrange the agreement carefully with the co-owners of the property. Apart from the daily arrangement, such as monthly payments, you also need to agree on how to deal with conditions in which one or two pulls out from the joint mortgage because of unemployment, moving out, or other accidents.
You can always contact our mortgage specialists for help if you need advice on your personal circumstances.

Do you want to know your maximum mortgage with your partner?

Schedule a complimentary introductory call with our mortgage specialists. We specialize in mortgages for expats and are dedicated to navigating you through the home-buying process.