An indefinite residential tenancy has no agreed date on which it simply expires. The tenant and landlord do not have identical termination rights. Check who wants to end the agreement, the notice rules and the consequences of any proposed departure arrangement.
Editorial review: Arslan Advocaten. Updated 24 October 2026.
An indefinite tenancy is different from a temporary contract
For new residential tenancies, indefinite contracts have been the starting point since 1 July 2024, with statutory exceptions. Older agreements and special tenancy types need separate examination. Continuing to live in the home after a date printed in a contract can also raise classification questions. Read extensions and earlier notices together with the original agreement.
The tenant’s notice
A tenant can generally give notice subject to the applicable notice period and method. Where rent is paid monthly, one month is commonly relevant, but the agreement and legal rules must be checked. Preserve proof of delivery and ask for confirmation of the actual ending date. Moving belongings out does not necessarily end payment obligations.
The landlord’s notice
The landlord normally needs a statutory ground, the required form and the applicable notice period. If the tenant does not agree, a court decision may be necessary. A sale does not automatically end the agreement. Distinguish ordinary notice from dissolution based on alleged arrears or another breach: those routes raise different legal questions.
A reply without accidentally agreeing
Ask for the contractual and legal basis when a landlord claims an indefinite tenancy expires this month. State if you do not consent to termination. Do not sign a key-handover arrangement or broad release before understanding its effect. If you want to move voluntarily, negotiate the complete departure package instead of leaving the financial consequences open.
Closing the tenancy properly
Record the ending date, final rent, inspection appointments, repairs, meter readings and key transfer. Request the deposit statement and keep a correspondence address available. A deposit is not automatically the last month’s rent. Any settlement should say what happens to outstanding service charges and whether claims are finally released.
Documents to collect
- Original agreement and extensions
- Notice and proof of sending or receipt
- Rent payment frequency and payment records
- Any proposed departure agreement
- Inspection records, deposit and service-charge accounts
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord’s letter automatically end an indefinite tenancy?
Not necessarily. The applicable ground, notice requirements and need for a court decision must be assessed.
Can I leave without notice because the tenancy is indefinite?
An indefinite duration does not remove notice and payment obligations. Establish the correct end date first.
Is a settlement always disadvantageous?
No. It can be useful when departure is desired, provided the rights, payments and conditions are understood.
Discuss the right next step
Send the complete agreement, relevant correspondence and the next deadline. We first assess the legal question, evidence and appropriate route. The first consultation is free and without obligation. Eligible individuals may qualify for subsidised legal aid; a personal contribution or other costs can remain. Where private fees apply, we agree the scope and expected costs before further work. A contact request does not itself preserve a statutory or court deadline.
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- Landlord ending your tenancy in the Netherlands: notice, grounds and your response
- Dutch rental contract checklist: what to check before signing
- Housing through a Dutch employment agency: must you leave when work stops?
