Indefinite rental agreement in the Netherlands (Model A)

Model A is the most common rental agreement for homes in the Netherlands. Its main feature is that it has no fixed end date. Here is what that means for you.

What is Model A?

Model A is the name landlords and estate agents commonly use for an indefinite rental agreement. The Dutch term is huurovereenkomst voor onbepaalde tijd.

Since 1 July 2024, this has been the default for new tenancies. Fixed-term agreements are now only allowed in a limited number of situations.

How long is a Model A agreement valid for?

It has a start date, but no end date. You can stay in the property for as long as you like — even for decades — until you decide to move out.

What does “initial term” mean?

An indefinite rental agreement may include an “initial term”, usually 12 months. During that time, neither you nor your landlord can end the agreement.

When the initial term ends, the agreement does not expire. It simply continues indefinitely.

The initial term does not have to be 12 months. Your landlord may set a shorter or longer term, or leave it out altogether. In practice, 12 months is by far the most common.

Do I need to renew Model A?

No. A Model A agreement continues automatically. You do not need to renew it every year or sign a new one.

How can a tenant end a Model A agreement?

If a Model A agreement has an initial term, the tenant cannot end it until that term has expired. After that, they can give the landlord one full month's notice. They do not need to give a reason.

Can a landlord end the agreement?

Not simply because they want to. The end of the first year is not a reason to evict a tenant, and neither is wanting to charge more rent.

If the tenant does not agree to leave, the landlord must go to court and prove they have a valid legal reason to end the agreement. This is a high bar, and in most cases a landlord cannot end Model A against the tenant's wishes.

What if the property is sold?

A sale does not end the rental agreement. The buyer simply becomes the new landlord, and the terms of the agreement stay the same.