Dennis de Vries, alderman for Housing: “In Utrecht, we are also dealing with a significant shortage of homes. It is unacceptable that homes remain vacant. As far as I’m concerned, every vacant home is one too many. I am therefore pleased with our vacancy regulation, which has a visible effect. We see less vacancy than before, and if properties remain vacant for an extended period, we as a municipality have the tools to address this. Ultimately, we can even impose a vacancy order, which means that a home must be occupied within a certain timeframe.”

Vacancy Regulation 

The vacancy regulation requires private owners to report if a home has been vacant for more than six months. If a report comes in, the municipality engages with the owner to get the home back into use as quickly as possible. If this is not successful after twelve months, the municipality can propose a user itself. Those who do not report vacancy risk a fine. 

The decrease in the first months after the introduction in October 2023 shows that the regulation also works preventively; many owners report vacancy to avoid the municipality taking enforcement action. To alert homeowners to the new regulation, the municipality of Utrecht sent nearly 3000 letters in the first quarter of 2024 to owners of homes that have been administratively vacant for more than six months. It has since been shown that over 1300 of those homes are no longer vacant. In many cases, this was about administrative vacancy, which means that a home is recorded as vacant in the municipal administration but is actually occupied.  

More than 500 homeowners reported vacancy since the introduction of the regulation. The reasons for homes being (administratively) vacant vary: from second homes (which must be reported) to long-term separations, disputes over inheritances, to renovations. In about half of the reports, it was about a second home; the municipality is looking at whether additional measures can be taken to limit the number of second homes – which often remain largely vacant. 

Following the reports, the municipality held over a hundred discussions with homeowners, in which agreements were made about resolving the vacancy within an agreed timeframe. If the homeowner does not cooperate or if the discussion does not lead to a solution for the vacancy, the municipality can impose a vacancy order. This states that the home must be occupied within a certain timeframe. In 2025, the first order was imposed. For homeowners who did not respond to the letter, the municipality will check.

Corporate Housing 

The vacancy regulation does not apply to commercial properties or corporate housing. Separate agreements have been made with corporations regarding vacancy. If corporate housing is vacant, it is often because it is part of a demolition/new construction project, or because it concerns loan houses where residents temporarily find shelter while their homes are being restored or demolished.  

More information about the vacancy regulation can be found in the letter that the college sent to the municipal council today.