Rental contract of 9 years
By default, a rental contract lasts for 9 years. People sometimes call it a “3-6-9 contract”.
The following rental contracts also have a duration of 9 years:
- contract without a specific duration
- contract of indefinite duration
- verbal rental contract
Do you and the landlord not end the contract by the end date? Then the rental contract is automatically renewed for 3 years.
Example: You have a rental contract from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2028. If you and the landlord do not end the rental contract? Then it is automatically extended for 3 years, that is, until December 31, 2031. Do you still not end the contract after this? Then the contract will be extended again by 3 years, until December 31, 2034.
Rental contract of 3 years or less ('short term')
Are you and the landlord concluding a rental contract of 3 years or less, a 'short-term contract'? This can be renewed in writing no more than once. Caution: the total of the original duration and the extension cannot exceed 3 years. Do you not renew the rental contract in writing by the end date, nor do you end it? Then the rental contract is automatically considered a 9-year contract. Then the terms of a 9-year contract apply again.
For example: you have a 1-year rental contract that started on January 1, 2020. Before the end of the rental contract year, you and the landlord decide to extend the rental contract by 2 years, until December 31, 2023. This extension must be in writing and the total duration must not exceed 3 years. Do you nor the landlord end the rental contract by December 31, 2023? Then the rental contract is automatically considered a 9-year rental contract, counting from the start date of January 1, 2020.
Rental contract longer than 9 years or for life
You and the landlord can also sign a rental contract longer than 9 years or for life. Do you have questions about this? Contact us.
