Netherlands Commercial Lease Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners
Comprehensive overview of Dutch commercial property laws including the 7:290 BW and 7:230a BW regimes, rent review, termination, and tenant protections.
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Dutch commercial lease law makes a fundamental distinction between two types of business premises, each with its own protection regime. This distinction determines the rights and obligations of both landlord and tenant.
Two Regimes: 7:290 BW vs. 7:230a BW
Retail Business Premises (Art. 7:290 BW)
This regime provides strong tenant protection and applies to:
- Retail shops — clothing stores, supermarkets, electronics stores
- Hospitality — restaurants, cafés, hotels
- Artisan businesses — bakeries, hair salons, auto garages
- Takeaway and delivery services — snack bars, pizzerias
The key characteristic is that the public has direct access to the premises for purchasing goods or services.
Other Business Premises (Art. 7:230a BW)
This regime provides limited protection and applies to:
- Offices — office buildings, coworking spaces
- Storage — warehouses, distribution centers
- Factories — production facilities
- Professional practices — doctors, lawyers, accountants
Key Commercial Lease Rules
Lease Duration and Renewal (7:290 BW)
- First term: minimum 5 years
- Renewal: automatic for another 5 years (total 10 years)
- After 10 years: indefinite term unless otherwise agreed
- Shorter terms (2 years or less) are possible but offer less protection
Termination
7:290 BW Business Premises
Termination by the landlord is only possible on limited grounds:
After the first 5 years:
- Poor business operations by the tenant
- Urgent personal use by the landlord
After 10 years:
- All of the above, plus:
- General balancing of interests — the landlord's interest outweighs the tenant's
7:230a BW Business Premises
- Termination according to contractual terms
- After termination, the tenant has the right to eviction protection
- The tenant can request the court to postpone the eviction date by maximum 1 year per request, up to a total of 3 years
Rent
Indexation
Annual rent adjustment is standard, typically linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Market Rent Review (7:290 BW)
After 5 years, either landlord or tenant can request a rent review from the court:
- The court sets the rent based on comparable premises in the area
- An average over the preceding 5 years is used
For more detail, see our Commercial Rent Increases guide.
Getting Started with Compliance
The distinction between 7:290 BW and 7:230a BW is crucial for your rights as a landlord. Landager helps commercial landlords choose the right contract form, monitor deadlines, and stay compliant.
Explore more Dutch commercial compliance topics:
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