What is the difference between a continuous and a perpetual ground lease?

A continuous ground lease runs in periods, with a new ground rent at the end of each period. A perpetual ground lease has no end date.

Where can I see whether a home is on a ground lease?

In the Kadaster ownership information, under rights. The conditions are in the ground lease deed.

What does 'ground rent paid off until' mean?

It means that the owner pays no annual ground rent until that date. After that, ground rent becomes payable under the deed and the applicable terms unless it is bought out again.

Does the ground rent count for the mortgage?

Any ground rent due is included in the financing burden under the applicable NHG rules.

Checking a ground lease (erfpacht) when selling a home: four questions

With a ground lease (erfpacht) the land belongs to someone else, often the municipality, and the home owner pays a fee for it: the ground rent (canon). If the home is on a ground lease, answer four questions: which type of ground lease is it, has the ground rent been paid off and until when, which general terms apply, and when will it be revised? The Kadaster ownership information shows whether a ground lease has been established; the details are in the deed and the applicable general terms.

Ground lease in four questions: which type, ground rent paid off, which general terms, when revised — Four questions about a ground lease.

Where to find the information

Kadaster. The ownership information lists under rights whether the home is on a ground lease.
Ground lease deed. It sets out the conditions. You request the deed from the Kadaster.
Municipality. With a municipal ground lease, the general terms and schemes are published by the municipality.

1. Which type of ground lease?

A temporary ground lease ends on the date stated in the deed. A continuous ground lease runs in fixed periods; at the end of a period, the ground rent may be reviewed under the applicable terms. A perpetual ground lease has no end date, although the ground rent may still be indexed if the terms provide for this.

2. Has the ground rent been paid off, and until when?

If the ground rent has been bought out until a specified date, the owner pays no annual ground rent until then. After that, ground rent becomes payable under the deed and the applicable terms unless it is bought out again. A buyer wants to know that date, because housing costs can change afterwards.

3. Which general terms apply?

The general terms (algemene bepalingen, AB) set out rights and obligations. In Amsterdam, AB 2016 were drawn up for perpetual ground leases, while AB 2000 are the most recent general terms for continuous ground leases. The deed determines which version applies, and older terms remain in use.

4. When is it revised?

Check when the lease period or buy-out period ends and what the deed says will happen then. The ground rent may be reviewed or may become payable again.

Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Rotterdam

Amsterdam. Holders of a continuous ground lease can switch to a perpetual one. According to the municipality, an individual apartment owner generally does not need the owners’ association’s consent to switch; check the conditions for the specific leasehold right. Check amsterdam.nl for the current conditions.
The Hague. Depending on their circumstances, leaseholders may be able to switch to the 2024 general terms. Check the municipality's conditions.
Utrecht. The municipality has schemes for buying out the ground rent. Check which scheme and conditions apply to the property.
Rotterdam. A revised ground lease policy has applied since 1 January 2026. Whether and within what period a buyer can apply for an additional buy-out depends on the municipal scheme and the leasehold right.

Ground lease and the mortgage

NHG may accept a home on a municipal ground lease if the NHG conditions are met. Any ground rent due is included in the financing burden. Additional requirements must be checked for leasehold rights created before 1992. Have the buyer discuss this with their adviser in good time.

Ground lease in Huisdoc

Add the deed to the property dossier and ask: “Until when has the ground rent been paid off?” The answer names the page in the deed, so you can read it yourself before passing it on to a buyer.

Chat in Huisdoc asking whether the home is on a ground lease, with an answer citing the deed of division page 14 — Example: a ground lease question with its source (made-up data, Dutch interface).

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a continuous and a perpetual ground lease?: A continuous ground lease runs in periods, with a new ground rent at the end of each period. A perpetual ground lease has no end date.
Where can I see whether a home is on a ground lease?: In the Kadaster ownership information, under rights. The conditions are in the ground lease deed.
What does 'ground rent paid off until' mean?: It means that the owner pays no annual ground rent until that date. After that, ground rent becomes payable under the deed and the applicable terms unless it is bought out again.
Does the ground rent count for the mortgage?: Any ground rent due is included in the financing burden under the applicable NHG rules.

Sources (Dutch)

This article is not legal advice. Ground lease rules differ per municipality and per deed. If in doubt, ask the municipality or the notary.

Updated on 22 October 2026