Dutch cities have introduced a new law to prevent investors from taking away homes for first-time home buyers. You must meet the requirements if you want to invest in a property.

This purchase protection law only applies if you want to buy a property for investment purposes.  However, some homebuyers can rent out a property only under certain conditions and with a permit.

Each municipality is free to determine its own policies. For instance, local governments may forbid new investment homes in certain parts of the city and under a certain value.

Please note: the following rules do not apply if you currently own a residential property and wish to refinance your mortgage to keep the property and rent it out.

A purchase protection law forbids renting out a property under certain conditions. The primary goal is to address the shortage of modestly priced, owner-occupied homes that are both affordable and available on the housing market.

Have you bought a home in 2023 to which the purchase protection applies?

In that case, renting out your is prohibited. As a property investor, you are not allowed to rent your property within the first four years.

Once you've made a purchase, you need to specify whether you are a new resident of the property or an investor. The purchase protection starts to work at this point. This will be verified by checking if you are registered to live on the property. You cannot be registered at more than one address.

Each municipality can choose a WOZ value as a limit under which recently (from 01-01-2022) bought properties are not allowed to be bought for any other purpose than primary residency by the owner.

Please note: each municipality has its own requirements for the investment property.