Anti-Squatting / 'Antikraak'
Anti-squatting ('Antikraak' in Dutch) is becoming a new method of renting, and a relatively quick way to find inexpensive accommodation. Unoccupied buildings which might be at risk from squatters are divided into rooms which are rented out. Often, not all rooms in the property are made available for renting, because the anti-squatting organisations want to rent out as many buildings as possible as fast as possible, both to earn money and to prevent squatters moving in. The average rental period for a room is about five months, but in some buildings rooms are offered for up to two years. Anti-squatting typically attracts students (because of the low prices) and artists (because of the large rooms).
This kind of renting was initiated by the city council, because they did not want squatters to enter unoccupied buildings and set up home. In The Netherlands it is legal to squat in an unoccupied house or building that has been unoccupied for more than twelve months. Therefore, the city council permits anti-squatting organisations to keep an eye on these buildings and is dedicated to renting out the rooms. The anti-squatters are able to live in their room until the the organisation has found a new buyer for the particular building. Anti-squatters do not pay a lot of rent for their room in comparison to rental costs for other accommodation.
In contradiction to normal rental tenants, anti-squatters do not have many rights, because they do not sign an official rental contract: they are therefore exempt from the official guidelines of rental law. Tenants are however required to sign an agreement which acknowledges that they are living in the room but stipulates that they are not an official tenant. For this reason, anti-squatter organisations are able to request renters to move out at short notice. This may prove a significant drawback for many tenants, but the low cost of living offers some compensation. If you are required to leave your room, the organisation will often assist you in finding another room as soon as possible.
How does it work?
In most Dutch student cities, you can register at anti-squatter organisations in the hope of finding a room. Most of the time it is enough to bring an identification card, passport photo and your Social Security number, or 'sofi nummer' in Dutch. After registration your details will be filed in a data-bank. As soon as a room is available, you will be contacted by the organisation to arrange a date to visit. As with student flats, you are allowed to refuse the room if you do not feel that it meets your requirements, but you may find that you slip back down the waiting list if you refuse too many rooms or appear to be too fussy.
Average rent for an anti-squatting room: €150 a month.
Advantages
Price: the cost of an anti-squatter room is comparatively low
Size: rooms tend to be larger than those offered in standard accommodation
Disadvantages
Rights: anti-squatters are users rather than tenants, therefore do not have many rights.
Uncertainty: when the organisation finds a buyer for the property the anti squatters have to move.
