Do you rent out residential or lodging space? These are your obligations under the Good Landlordship Act

Tenancy Law

14 January 2026

Do you rent out residential or lodging space? These are your obligations under the Good Landlordship Act

Stelt u zich eens voor: u werkt al jaren met dezelfde zelfstandige. Hij stuurt facturen, factureert btw en heeft een eigen kvk-nummer. Toch krijgt u in 2026 ineens vragen van de Belastingdienst over de aard van uw samenwerking. Hoe heeft het zo ver kunnen komen?

Do you, as an entrepreneur, rent out residential or lodging space to employees, expats or migrant workers? Then the Good Landlordship Act (Wgv) is essential for you. Since 1 July 2023, strict statutory standards have applied, and municipalities have broad enforcement powers. Non-compliance can lead to fines, penalty payments, or even the municipality taking over management of the property.

The seven basic obligations for every landlord

A good landlord must, in any case, observe the following obligations:

No discrimination in the selection or allocation of tenants
No intimidation or pressure towards tenants
Deposit of a maximum of 2 months’ net rent
Written lease agreement mandatory
Duty to inform: you must inform the tenant in writing about, among other things, rights, obligations, rent, service charges and maintenance.
Service charges strictly regulated: only legally permitted costs, plus an annual, transparent settlement, giving the tenant insight into those costs
No double brokerage fees: an intermediary engaged by the landlord may not charge the tenant anything

For many entrepreneurs, this means that existing contracts and working methods may need to be reviewed.

Additional rules for housing migrant workers

Do you rent out residential or lodging space to migrant workers? Then the following additionally applies:

Strict separation of the employment contract and the lease agreement
All information provided in a language the tenant understands

This calls for adapted contracts and good preparation.

Enforcement: what the municipality can do

In the event of a violation, the municipality can, among other things:

impose an order subject to a penalty payment or an administrative fine;
apply administrative enforcement (remedy at your expense);
make your name public (naming and shaming);
in serious cases, take over management of the property.

Since 1 January 2024, every municipality has had a reporting point for unwanted rental conduct. As a result, complaints reach the authorities more quickly.

What does this mean for you in concrete terms?

As a landlord, you need to take the following into account:

Check whether a rental permit is required;
Apply the Wgv strictly in recruitment, contracts and management;
Ensure clear, written and verifiable agreements;
Communicate transparently about service charges every year;
Be aware that repeated violations are punished severely.

Need help?

Are you unsure whether your lease agreements or rental practices comply with the Good Landlordship Act? Are you already having problems with a tenant and would like advice?

The corporate lawyers of The Legal Company are happy to help you with this. Please feel free to contact us via info@thelegalcompany.nl or call 020-3450152.

De afgelopen jaren stonden in het teken van de Wet VBAR, het wetsvoorstel dat een einde moest maken aan onduidelijkheid over de zzp’er. Het kabinet heeft delen van dat voorstel inmiddels geschrapt. Op het eerste gezicht is dat goed nieuws: minder regels, minder administratieve last. Maar in de praktijk blijven dezelfde toetsen overeind.

“De inhoud van de samenwerking is leidend, niet wat er op papier staat.”

De Belastingdienst handhaaft sinds 1 januari 2025 weer actief op schijnzelfstandigheid. En recente uitspraken van de Hoge Raad bevestigen dat rechters strikt toetsen of er sprake is van ondergeschiktheid en gezagsverhouding.

Voor uw praktijk betekent dit drie dingen. Een: leg de samenwerking duidelijk vast, met aandacht voor de inhoud. Twee: voorkom dat een zzp’er feitelijk werkt als werknemer. Drie: wees voorbereid op een controle, en weet hoe u de relatie kunt herzien als dat moet.

Heeft u vragen over uw concrete situatie? Wij sparren dagelijks met opdrachtgevers over hun zzp-relaties. Vraag een offerte op of bekijk onze Legal Safe abonnementen.