Ban on second home use
The villages of Grou and Warten have a relatively high proportion of owner-occupied houses that are only used to spend holidays or weekends. There are now new rules on whether or not an owner-occupied house can be used as a second home which will apply from 1 July 2024.
Second home
Most homes in Grou and Warten used as second homes are in the old village centres. These houses are empty for much of the year, adversely affecting the liveability of the area. Moreover, owner-occupied houses are scarce, resulting in fewer homes available for households wanting to live in Grou and Warten.
Housing Regulation
To reduce the negative impact of second home use, the City of Leeuwarden has drafted a Housing Regulation. This states under which conditions and where in Grou and Warten the use of a house as a second home is allowed and in which areas a conversion permit is required.
Operational area
Property within the operational area?
Do you have a property for sale in one of the operational areas? If so, you may only use your property for permanent residence. You may not rent out this property for recreational purposes. If you are temporarily unable to use your property as a permanent home, you are required to apply for a conversion permit.
Property outside the operational area?
If your home is outside the area of operation, you may also use your home as a second home. You can check the map of your key area to see if your property is in or out of the operational area.
Questions and Answers
What is a conversion permit?
You need to apply for the conversion permit if you want to use the property as a second home, put it into use or have it used.
In which areas should I apply for a conversion permit?
The conversion permit is required in the Grou core and the Warten core.
When will you hear more?
Within 8 weeks of receipt, you will hear whether you are being granted the permit. Sometimes an extension is needed, in which case you will be notified in writing.
Can a permit be revoked?
Yes, a conversion permit can be revoked if:
- The owner of the home requests this.
- A residential property has not been converted within one year of the permit becoming irrevocable.
- A converted residential property is not used as a second home at any time for more than a year.
- The permit was granted on the basis of incorrect or incomplete information which the person concerned knew or ought reasonably to have suspected to be incorrect or incomplete, or conditions or regulations imposed in the permit by the local authority are not complied with.
Filing an objection
You can file an objection against the rejection of a permit application. Go to the page File an objection.
Charges
Applying for a permit costs €635.89. You are also charged this amount if the permit is not issued.
Second home
Most homes in Grou and Warten used as second homes are in the old village centres. These houses are empty for much of the year, adversely affecting the liveability of the area. Moreover, owner-occupied houses are scarce, resulting in fewer homes available for households wanting to live in Grou and Warten.
Housing Regulation
To reduce the negative impact of second home use, the City of Leeuwarden has drafted a Housing Regulation. This states under which conditions and where in Grou and Warten the use of a house as a second home is allowed and in which areas a conversion permit is required.
Operational area
Property within the operational area?
Do you have a property for sale in one of the operational areas? If so, you may only use your property for permanent residence. You may not rent out this property for recreational purposes. If you are temporarily unable to use your property as a permanent home, you are required to apply for a conversion permit.
Property outside the operational area?
If your home is outside the area of operation, you may also use your home as a second home. You can check the map of your key area to see if your property is in or out of the operational area.
Questions and Answers
What is a conversion permit?
You need to apply for the conversion permit if you want to use the property as a second home, put it into use or have it used.
In which areas should I apply for a conversion permit?
The conversion permit is required in the Grou core and the Warten core.
When will you hear more?
Within 8 weeks of receipt, you will hear whether you are being granted the permit. Sometimes an extension is needed, in which case you will be notified in writing.
Can a permit be revoked?
Yes, a conversion permit can be revoked if:
- The owner of the home requests this.
- A residential property has not been converted within one year of the permit becoming irrevocable.
- A converted residential property is not used as a second home at any time for more than a year.
- The permit was granted on the basis of incorrect or incomplete information which the person concerned knew or ought reasonably to have suspected to be incorrect or incomplete, or conditions or regulations imposed in the permit by the local authority are not complied with.
Filing an objection
You can file an objection against the rejection of a permit application. Go to the page File an objection.
Charges
Applying for a permit costs €635.89. You are also charged this amount if the permit is not issued.