Landlords of rooms or apartments to students in the municipality of Groningen need a landlord’s permit since 1 January 2019. Room mediation agencies that mediate in housing for students need a mediation permit from the same date.
The vast majority of landlords do well, but a limited group of landlords cause malpractice. Examples are threats, intimidation, overdue maintenance and wrongfully charging mediation fees. With the permits the municipality of Groningen wants to tackle these malpractices.
In general, landlords need a rental permit if they rent out three or more living units in a building to students. For the exact rules for these permits, see the website of the municipality of Groningen. Rental permits can also be applied for on that page.
If you own a building and want to use it for room rentals, you need a conversion permit. Previously, this permit was called a withdrawal permit. In the municipality of Groningen these permits are only issued in very exceptional cases. For more information, see the website of the municipality of Groningen.
If a landlord or agent causes malpractice, it is possible that the permit will be taken away.
