Temporary Rental Contracts and Automatic Extension in Leiden

In Leiden, temporary rental agreements for residential properties last a maximum of two years (art. 7:232 DCC) and do not extend automatically, unless explicitly agreed in writing. This is crucial in a city like Leiden, where the rental market is tight due to the large influx of students at Leiden University and the LUMC. In case of termination, parties apply shorter notice periods than for fixed contracts, but the landlord may not terminate prematurely without urgent grounds, such as non-payment or nuisance. Tenants in Leiden often enjoy tacit extension rights if the property remains suitable for habitation, for example in popular neighbourhoods such as the city centre or Professorenwijk. To prevent disputes – frequent at the Rent Tribunal in the Leiden region – written documentation is mandatory. Sham constructions, such as repeated short contracts to avoid fixed tenancy, are converted by the court into a permanent contract, with all associated protections. This distinction from fixed rental agreements directly affects local grounds for termination, especially relevant for Leiden students and young professionals on the overheated housing market. Local housing associations such as Duwo advise tenants to know their rights in temporary rentals.