Termination of Rental Agreement in Case of Divorce in Leiden

In the event of divorce or dissolution of a registered partnership in Leiden, one partner may terminate the rental agreement prematurely pursuant to Article 7:272 of the Dutch Civil Code (DCC). The terminating party must prove that continuation is impossible due to changed circumstances, such as financial pressure or care for children. Procedure: within a reasonable term after the judgment, file a request with the District Court of The Hague (Leiden location), including proof of the divorce and income details. The other party has a six-week reflection period. Without agreement, the judge decides based on income, duty of care, living situation, and priority for minor children. In Leiden, with its tight rental market, co-tenant rights play an extra role if both names are on the contract with housing corporations such as Haag Wonen or local landlords. Practice: in the Leiden region, approximately 45% of divorce cases lead to rental disputes, often due to high demand for affordable housing in neighborhoods such as Leiden-Noord or the Merenwijk. Advice: immediately consult a family law attorney via the Juridisch Loket Leiden or a local practice for joint termination. The municipality of Leiden offers priority declarations for alternative housing, especially for families with children – apply for this via the Woonloket. Prevent double housing costs through timely action and consider temporary shelter via social services. (218 words)