Self-preservation duty
What is it?
The owner-occupancy requirement is a rule stipulating that anyone who purchases a home must live there themselves. You are not permitted to rent the home to others for a certain period after purchase. In the case of the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo, this period is seven years.
How does it work?
The owner-occupancy requirement applies to newly constructed homes with a purchase price up to the national affordability threshold. This requirement does not apply to existing homes.
The municipality includes the owner-occupancy rules in agreements with developers. Developers are required to incorporate these rules into the sales agreements and the deed of sale for the property. As long as the owner-occupancy requirement remains in effect, the homeowner is required to include the owner-occupancy requirement in subsequent deeds of sale when the property is sold.
The requirement to use the home as a primary residence applies for seven years, starting from the date the home was first occupied.
Renting out a home subject to the owner-occupancy requirement is punishable by a fine. The fine is €500 per day, up to a maximum of €100,000.
In the meantime, the homeowner may sell the property. However, a maximum sale price applies under the Target Groups Regulation. As long as the owner-occupancy requirement is in effect, the homeowner is required to include this requirement in subsequent deeds of sale. If the seller fails to do so, the municipality may impose a fine of €100,000.
For the rules and Requirements , click Requirements the document at the bottom of this page.