Leaseholders who wish to purchase the land on which they reside can submit an application until September 25, 2025. After this date, it will no longer be possible to buy the leasehold land. This aligns with the new land policy note approved by the city council last September.
Some homes in Utrecht are on land owned by the municipality. This land is issued under leasehold. Residents use the land, but the municipality owns it. This often allows people to buy a house more cheaply. Leaseholders must pay for the use of the land: the leasehold canon.
Regulation in effect until September 25
For most leaseholders, the leasehold conditions from 1989 apply, and the leasehold canon has been bought off perpetually. Leaseholders who have bought off the leasehold canon perpetually can now choose to convert the leasehold into ownership. They then purchase the bare ownership and become the owner of the land; the leasehold right then lapses.
More control through leasehold
The municipality chooses not to sell land anymore, but only to issue it under leasehold. Space is needed in the city for many different functions, such as living and working, but also for roads, greenery, and energy supply. By issuing land under leasehold, the municipality has more control over what can happen on that land. This decision is recorded in the land policy note from 2024.
Read more about the conversion scheme.
Help and contact Municipality of Utrecht
Visiting address
Stadsplateau 1
3521 AZ Utrecht
Postal address
Postbus 16200
3500 CE Utrecht