Early termination of contract, is that allowed?

Questioner

I am a student and live with a girlfriend in an upstairs apartment. The lease expires on 1-9-2023. We asked via the app if we could extend this contract again for a year. The landlord indicates via app that a new contract can be drawn up until 1-9-2024. This new contract has not yet been drawn up and signed by us and the landlord. Now with the new rules for landlords and fixed rental contracts, the landlord wants the new contract to run until 1-12-2023 at the latest. After that we have to move out and they want to sell the house. We wonder if she can just change this, while she first made a commitment until 1-9-2024. What are the legal rules here? Hopefully you can provide us with clarity on this.

Lawyer

Good afternoon, Since the content of the lease agreement is not known, I can only make a general comment. There is indeed a change in the law regarding lease agreements. As a rule, the new current legislation and regulations regarding lease agreements do not yet apply. In most cases, it still applies: when extending the lease, a lease agreement applies for an indefinite period. Something concrete can only be said about this after studying the lease agreement (and any general terms and conditions). In principle, the landlord can go back on the previously made commitment, but it does depend on what has been agreed (in writing). For example, if it was only said verbally, there is no proof that any commitments were made. If you would like to discuss your case further, please feel free to contact us without obligation. Gr, Mr. S. Leito FerLei Leito 06-49175526