Termination of Rental Agreement by Landlord in Rijswijk

In Rijswijk, a growing municipality in the Haaglanden region near The Hague, a landlord may terminate the rental agreement for urgent reasons such as own occupation, renovation or urgent own use, in accordance with Article 7:274 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW). This is relevant in neighbourhoods such as Innen, Oud-Rijswijk or the modern RijswijkBinnen, where housing shortages are putting pressure on the rental market. Unilateral termination requires a notice period of at least one month and must be sent by registered mail or bailiff's writ of summons. Reasons must be objective and demonstrable, not arbitrary; the tenant may refuse, after which the district court (kantonrechter) in The Hague decides. If approved, the tenant receives a new deadline to vacate. In contrast to voluntary mutual consent, this forces legal proceedings. Landlords must provide evidence, such as a family declaration for occupation or renovation plans approved by the Rijswijk aesthetics committee. Tenants in Rijswijk have a right of first refusal to return after renovation, supported by local housing associations such as Vidomes. Procedure: termination letter with detailed grounds, tenant's response, advice from the Haaglanden Rent Committee or directly to the district court. Costs include court fees (around €85 for basic cases) and possible lawyer fees. Success rate is low with weak motives, especially with strict scrutiny in the region. Advice: first try to negotiate mutual consent, or consult the Rijswijk Housing Desk for free legal advice hours. The law protects tenants in Rijswijk against abuse of power by landlords, also through municipal anti-speculation clauses in social housing. (248 words)