Renting with a pet in the Netherlands

Looking for a rental home with a dog, cat or other pet? Then you'll want to know in advance whether your pet is welcome. There is no Dutch law that allows or bans pets in rental homes. What counts is what your lease says. Below you'll find what a landlord can do, what happens if your lease bans pets, and what you're responsible for yourself.

Words to look for in Dutch listings

Many listings are only in Dutch. These terms tell you where you stand:

• Huisdieren toegestaan — pets allowed

• Huisdieren niet toegestaan or geen huisdieren — no pets

• Huisdieren in overleg — pets by arrangement; ask first

• Huisdierenclausule — the pet clause in the lease

Can a landlord ban pets?

Yes. A Dutch landlord may include a pet ban or restriction in the lease (huurcontract). For example: no dogs, or one cat at most. If you sign that lease, you agree to it.

Does your lease say nothing about pets? Then the landlord can't simply ban your pet later.

A landlord may also prefer a tenant without pets when choosing between applicants. Pets are not one of the protected characteristics that landlords are not allowed to select on.

What if you have a pet despite a ban?

Then you're breaking your lease. Even so, the landlord can't remove your pet or evict you on their own. They have to go to the subdistrict court (kantonrechter), the court that handles rental disputes.

The judge weighs the interests of both sides. They look at things like:

• whether the pet causes nuisance or damage;

• what kind of animal it is;

• whether the home is suitable for the animal;

• what the animal means to you.

As early as 1988, the Dutch Supreme Court (Hoge Raad) ruled that breaking a pet ban is not, on its own, a reason to end a lease. In practice, a tenant with a quiet pet is often in a strong position. But don't count on it: a court case costs time, money and your relationship with your landlord. Discussing it openly in advance is always better.

Nuisance and damage are your responsibility

Even where pets are allowed, your pet must not cause a nuisance. Think of a dog barking all day, or a smell in the stairwell. With serious nuisance, a landlord can go to court, regardless of what the lease says about pets.

You pay for damage caused by your pet. Think of scratched floors, chewed skirting boards or a lingering smell. At the end of your lease, the landlord can deduct those costs from your deposit.

Is the landlord asking for an extra deposit for your pet? Note that in the Netherlands the total deposit is capped at two months' base rent (kale huur, the rent without service costs). Read more in our article on deposits and agency fees.

Check the building's rules too

Renting an apartment? Then the building often has an owners' association (Vereniging van Eigenaren, or VvE) with its own rules. These can apply to tenants as well, for example about dogs in the stairwell or the shared garden. Ask the landlord whether there are such rules.

An assistance dog is not an ordinary pet

Do you have an assistance dog, such as a guide dog or a dog trained to help with epilepsy or PTSD? Then different rules apply. According to the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (College voor de Rechten van de Mens), refusing an assistance dog is in many cases discrimination on grounds of disability. The law that prohibits this also applies when renting out homes.

So mention your assistance dog openly. If you're turned down because of your dog, you can ask the Institute for a ruling. This is free.

Ask before you sign

Most problems can be avoided by discussing them in advance. Ask these questions in your application or at the viewing:

• Are pets allowed, and which ones?

• Is there a pet clause in the lease? Ask to read it.

• Are there house rules or VvE rules about pets?

• Does the home suit your pet, for example with a garden or without steep stairs? Dutch stairs can be very steep.

Got permission verbally? Ask for it in writing or in the lease. That avoids discussion later, for example if the home gets a new owner or property manager.

You'll find more questions for your viewing in our article on viewings.

Ready to search

Know what you're looking for? With the Huurspot search wizard, you set up your search and get an alert as soon as new listings match. That way you can respond quickly and ask straight away whether your pet is welcome.