Property templates and checklistsNetherlands

Reviewed October 28, 2026. Not legal advice. Have a notary or lawyer check your case before you sign.

Buying

1
Make an offer (bod)
Make an offer to the seller, usually through the seller's estate agent (makelaar), by phone, email or an online bidding tool.
2
Draft the purchase agreement
The agent or the parties draw up the purchase agreement (koopovereenkomst), most often on the model of Vereniging Eigen Huis, NVM and Vastgoed Nederland.
3
Sign it, then wait 3 days
An accepted offer does not bind a private buyer. Both must sign in writing (Civil Code book 7, art. 2). The buyer then has 3 days to withdraw without a reason.
4
Pay the deposit, get the mortgage
The buyer usually pays a 10% deposit to the notary, or gives a bank guarantee. The buyer then has a few weeks to arrange the mortgage on the agreed terms.
5
Register the purchase agreement
The notary, usually chosen by the buyer, can register the purchase agreement in the land registry to protect the buyer.
6
Sign the transfer deed
Ownership passes only when both parties sign the deed (leveringsakte) before a civil-law notary and the notary registers it with the Kadaster (book 3, art. 89).
7
Pay the transfer tax
2% for a home the buyer will live in, 8% for other homes (7% proposed from 1 January 2027). Buyers under 35 are exempt up to a value of €555,000 in 2026.

Law: Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) book 7, title 4. Most of its rules protect the tenant and cannot be set aside.
Lease term: Indefinite for a new lease since 1 July 2024 (Wet vaste huurcontracten).
Fixed term: At most 2 years, and only for groups listed by decree, such as students.
Rent cap (woningwaarderingsstelsel): Since 1 July 2024 (Wet betaalbare huur), points set the maximum rent up to 186 points. 187 or more is free sector.
Deposit cap: 2 months' bare rent. Return within 14 days, or 30 days if the landlord deducts costs.
Notice periods: Tenant: the rent payment period, 1 to 3 months. Landlord: a statutory ground and written consent or a court order.
Written lease (Wet goed verhuurderschap): Since 2023 the landlord must give a written lease and written information to the tenant.
Disputes and fines: Huurcommissie rules on rent, service costs and repairs. Since 1 January 2025 municipalities can fine excessive rent.