Knowledge base
What to know about your purchase agreement
The Dutch purchase agreement (koopakte) explained: conditions, the cooling-off period, the deposit and the rest of the buying process, for anyone buying a house or an apartment.
Age clause, asbestos clause and other risk clauses in your purchase agreement
What do the age clause, asbestos clause, non-occupancy clause, foundation clause and the list of items mean for you as a buyer? What the seller no longer answers for, what such a clause doesn't take away and what a building survey has to do with it.
Published 27 October 2026purchase agreementlegalbuyingBidding on a house in the Netherlands: how it works and when you're really bound
What do you put in an offer on a house, which bidding method does the estate agent use, and can the seller still back out after saying yes? The rules of the NVM protocol that applies since 1 February 2026, and of the law.
Buying a house in the Netherlands: how it works, step by step
From how much you can borrow and the viewing to the keys at the notary. What to arrange when you buy a house in the Netherlands, including the cooling-off period, the building survey, leasehold and the buyer's costs in 2026.
Buying a house in the Netherlands: which documents does the bank want, and which the notary?
Your mortgage adviser asks for your income, the purchase agreement and a valuation report; the notary wants to know where your own money comes from. Which documents you provide when you buy a house, in which order, and where it often gets stuck.
Conditions in the Dutch purchase agreement: which ones, until when, and how to invoke them
Financing, NHG, building survey and other conditions in the purchase agreement for a house or apartment. How the deadline works, how to withdraw with proof, and what it costs if you miss the date or buy without conditions.
Published 27 October 2026purchase agreementfinancinglegalDeposit or bank guarantee when buying a home in the Netherlands: when, how much and when you get it back
After signing the purchase agreement you usually pay 10% of the purchase price to the notary or arrange a bank guarantee. The difference, the deadline, the costs, what happens if the purchase falls through and when you get the money back.
Published 27 October 2026purchase agreementcostsfinancingLeasehold, easements and chain clauses: what comes with your home?
With a home you sometimes buy more than bricks and land, such as a leasehold ground rent, a right of way for the neighbours or a chain clause with a penalty. What they mean, where to find them and what "the buyer accepts" in your purchase agreement means.
Purchase agreement or deed of transfer: what is the difference?
The purchase agreement (koopakte) records what you agreed, the deed of transfer (leveringsakte) makes you the owner. Who draws them up, when you sign, why you can have the purchase agreement registered with the Kadaster and what to check in the notary's draft deed of transfer.
Published 27 October 2026purchase agreementlegalcostsThe cooling-off period after signing the Dutch purchase agreement: how to work out the three days
After signing the purchase agreement for a house or apartment in the Netherlands you have three days to reconsider. When the period starts, how weekends and public holidays count, who it applies to and how to use it.
Published 27 October 2026purchase agreementlegalbuying
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Get the purchase agreement checklist as a PDF: what to look for before you sign, to tick off.