nrc.nl
Vacation Home Residency Dispute
A Dutch court upholds an order for a couple to vacate their permanently occupied vacation home, highlighting the complexities of zoning laws and the ongoing housing crisis.
Dutch
Netherlands
LifestyleNetherlandsLawHousingCourtLegal
De Fryske Marren MunicipalityRechtbank Noord-NederlandLa Gro AdvocatenPvvVvdNscCbs
Irona GroeneveldCato Blankenstein
- Why did the court reject the couple's appeal?
- The court rejected the couple's appeal because permanent residency violated the zoning plan, there was no guarantee of legalization, and they hadn't sufficiently demonstrated their efforts to find alternative housing.
- What prompted the municipality to order the couple to vacate their vacation home?
- A couple bought a vacation home in Friesland, Netherlands, intending to live there permanently. The municipality ordered them to leave due to zoning regulations, and the court upheld the order despite the couple's arguments.
- What is the municipality's policy regarding permanent residency in vacation homes?
- The municipality allows temporary stays in vacation homes through its social neighborhood team, but enforces regulations against permanent residency, usually giving three months to relocate.
- What is the current situation regarding permanent residency in vacation homes nationwide?
- Approximately 69,000 people live in recreational parks in the Netherlands, a 14% increase in five years. The national government is considering allowing permanent residency in some parks to alleviate housing shortages, but faces significant legal hurdles.
- What factors would make a court more likely to rule in favor of permanent residency in a vacation home?
- An attorney notes that while the housing crisis is often cited in these cases, proving significant effort to find alternative housing and demonstrating exceptional circumstances are crucial for successful appeals. The couple in this case did not meet those criteria.