Urgent Own Use as Grounds for Termination by Landlord in Zoetermeer

In Zoetermeer, landlords may request tenants to vacate with three months' notice for urgent own use (article 7:274 DCC). Urgent reasons include own occupation, family reunification or conversion into own home, which is relevant in Zoetermeer due to the tight housing market in neighbourhoods such as Oosterheem and Rokkeveense Plasmadivisie. Proof is essential: no speculative behaviour as with project developers in the Stadshart. Tenants have six months' consideration period and may demand €6,000 compensation in case of unreasonableness. Upon refusal, the Rent Tribunal or district court in The Hague follows, with local expertise in Zoetermeer cases. Case law requires concrete proof, such as family expansion due to a new job with a local employer such as the municipality or Ricoh. After two years, the landlord must actually move in, otherwise a penalty payment via the court looms. Tenants with urgency, for example due to health problems via Zoetermeer GP practices, have veto rights. Statistics: locally 28% of termination notices fail due to insufficient proof, according to Rent Tribunal data. Tip for tenants: demand written substantiation with Zoetermeer address details; landlords, prepare file with municipal statements. Alternative: voluntary eviction with bonus, ideal for starters on the Zoetermeer market. (212 words)