A landlord’s letter asking you to leave does not always end your residential tenancy. Establish the type of contract, the reason given and the legal steps required. A request to agree a moving date, formal notice and a court summons need different responses.
Editorial review: Arslan Advocaten. Updated 24 October 2026.
Start with the contract and the notice
Keep the full signed agreement, amendments, general terms and every notice. Record when the letter was sent and received. Determine whether the tenancy is indefinite, a permitted temporary arrangement or an older contract governed by transitional rules. A stated end date does not settle the legal classification. New residential contracts generally start on an indefinite basis from 1 July 2024, subject to statutory exceptions.
The landlord needs an applicable legal basis
Ending an indefinite residential tenancy normally requires a recognised ground and compliance with the applicable formalities. Personal use, arrears, breach of the agreement and other grounds have their own conditions. Selling a property does not by itself erase the tenancy. A landlord’s wish to obtain a higher rent is not a general power to end the existing agreement.
If you do not agree to leave
Do not sign consent merely because the letter presents departure as inevitable. Where the law requires a court decision and you do not consent, notice alone generally does not authorise the landlord to remove you. State your position in writing and have the actual ground assessed. Keep paying the amount properly due; a dispute about notice and a payment default are separate issues.
A summons or threatened lock change needs prompt action
Send the entire summons and attachments with the hearing date. Negotiations do not automatically suspend the procedure. If the landlord threatens to change locks, cut services or enter without permission, preserve the message and seek an urgent assessment. Do not rely on a general online deadline: the correct response depends on the document, procedure and service.
Agreeing departure can be a separate choice
A tenant may prefer a negotiated move. Check the moving date, rent until departure, compensation, deposit, inspections and release of claims. A payment described as compensation may be conditional on surrendering rights. Put the complete agreement in writing and consider what happens if payment or alternative housing fails.
Documents to collect
- Signed lease and amendments
- Notice, envelope, delivery record and emails
- Payment statement and proof of disputed payments
- Who lives in the home and the consequences of departure
- Any summons, hearing date or proposed settlement
Frequently asked questions
Can the landlord end the tenancy simply because the home is sold?
A sale alone does not normally end the tenancy. The purchaser’s position and any separate termination ground need their own assessment.
Does asking for legal help stop the deadline?
No. Tell us the date immediately and send the document. Contact or negotiation does not itself suspend a procedural deadline.
Must I agree a moving date?
Assess your legal position before consenting. Agreement can affect tenancy protection and later claims.
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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Related tenancy guides
- Indefinite tenancy agreement in the Netherlands: ending the contract and tenant protection
- Dutch rental contract checklist: what to check before signing
- Housing through a Dutch employment agency: must you leave when work stops?
