About tenancy and co-tenancy

(The following information can be found on the Wetland Wonen website)

 

What does co-tenancy mean?

As a co-tenant, you have the rights and obligations under the tenancy agreement. This includes:

• Receives rental protection;
• You are jointly liable for the rent payment and;
• You are partly responsible for returning the home to its original condition upon termination of the lease.

The decision to become a co-tenant is made jointly with the main tenant, who must agree to the co-tenancy.

 

When can you become a co-tenant?

In the event of a marriage or registered partnership, the main tenant's partner acquires the rights and obligations of a co-tenant. We ask that you inform us of this yourself and share the marriage certificate with us.

In other situations, the following conditions must be met to become a co-tenant:

• The main tenant must submit the application to us via our website or the attached form;
• The future co-tenant has used the property as their primary residence for at least two years without interruption. You can prove this with an extract—including residential history—from the municipal personal records database.
• There is a sustainable shared household. Residents must intend to continue living together permanently;
• The home remains suitable. This means the co-tenant must meet the requirements for the home. For example, someone under 55 cannot become a co-tenant in a senior living facility. Their income must also be adequate in relation to the rent.
• The main tenant and/or the future co-tenant have no rent arrears;
• Cohabitation must not lead to overcrowding;
• Since we started living together, no nuisance has been caused.

 

We will reject the request if:

• A relationship breakdown is the reason;
• If the main tenant wants to leave the home and pass on the rental rights to a co-resident;
• If an adult child lives with their parents. Cohabitation between parent(s) and child is gradually declining. Applying for co-tenancy is possible if the resident child is 35 or older and has never left the parental home.

 

Request co-tenancy

If you meet the aforementioned conditions, you can apply for co-tenancy via the website.

We will assess your co-tenancy application and inform the main tenant of the outcome.
If the request is denied, only the main tenant can file an objection by letter or email.

 

Co-tenants

Renting a home together

If you live with a main tenant, you are a co-occupant. This does not automatically make you a co-tenant. If the main tenant moves out, co-occupants cannot continue living in the property, but a co-tenant can. A co-tenant has the same rights and obligations as the main tenant. For example, you are jointly liable for any rent arrears. And you share responsibility for any changes or damage to the property. If you want to terminate the lease, you can only do so if you both give notice. Below, you can read more about co-tenancy and how to become a co-tenant.

 

A co-tenant is someone who:

• Lives together with the main tenant and;
• Runs a household with him or her and;
• You have been recognized by us as a co-tenant. This is recorded in our records once you have applied for co-tenancy and have been approved by us.

Death of the (co)tenant

Has your partner or family member passed away and did he or she live in one of our homes?

First of all, we wish you strength in coping with your loss. We are happy to help you arrange some practical matters in the following situations:

 

1. Was the deceased the main tenant and were you married or in a registered partnership? Then, as the surviving co-tenant, you automatically become the main tenant by law. You must notify us of this. You can do this by sending us a letter with your information and a copy of the death certificate or obituary.

 

2. Was the deceased the main tenant and were you living together without being married or in a registered partnership? Then you can continue living in the property for another six months and submit a request to us to become the main tenant. There are a few conditions:

• You must have had the home as your primary residence for at least two years. You can prove this with an extract—including residential history—from your municipality's personal records database (BasisRegistratie Personen);
• you must have lived together in a lasting joint household;
• you must be able to pay the rent independently;
• Your income must be appropriate for the requested rent.

 

3. Was the deceased the main tenant and did they live with an adult child? In that case, the surviving spouse can still live in the property for six months and submit a request to become the main tenant. The same conditions apply as described above. We are not obligated to approve the request to become the main tenant.

 

4. Was the deceased a co-tenant? Then nothing will change for you. We would appreciate being notified, however.

Source: www.wetlandwonen.nl

 

Legal Advice Steenwijk also provides advice in Vollenhove.
Legal Advice Steenwijk provides free legal advice to residents, associations, foundations and volunteer organizations in Steenwijkerland and surrounding municipalities.

 

Anyone can contact the Legal Aid Clinic with a wide range of legal questions about relationships, children, work and housing, taxes and finances, purchasing items, debt collection agencies, and more.

Sometimes going to a notary, lawyer or social worker, for example, is a first step, but often this is too high a hurdle for many people.

The Legal Aid Clinic is run by volunteers with a legal background who, through work and life experience, have sufficient expertise in legal matters. Students pursuing legal studies also regularly join the Legal Aid Clinic's volunteer team.

The Legal Aid Clinic has been in existence for over 35 years and holds consultation hours four times a week, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Golfstate, Stationsstraat 10 in Steenwijk.

 

Also in Vollenhove from September

The distance can be a problem for residents of Vollenhove and the surrounding area. Therefore, the Legal Aid Clinic is offering consultations in Vollenhove. These consultations are held every first Friday of the month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at De Burght, Godfried van Rhenenlaan 2 in Vollenhove.

 

 The Legal Aid Clinic can be reached by telephone on 06-30717904 or by email:  rechtswinkel@sociaalwerkdekop.nl    

All information can also be found on the website:  www.rechtswinkelsteenwijk.nl  and on Facebook: Rechtswinkel Steenwijk.

Source: According to a report in the Nieuwsbode of August 28, 2019