Inflation in the Netherlands is breaking record after record. The aftermath of the coronavirus crisis, and especially the war in Ukraine and the resulting sharp rise in energy costs, are responsible. Many tenants are therefore more anxious than usual about the annual rent adjustment for their office or business premises.
According to ABN Amro, the Netherlands' largest business bank, landlords should not automatically use inflation as the benchmark for rent increases. Its advice is to speak to the tenant. A sharp, indiscriminate increase can leave an entrepreneur with cash-flow problems and lead to bankruptcy, after which no rent is paid at all.
Working from home as the norm
There has been no official recommendation to work from home since March 2022. Nevertheless, many companies let employees work entirely or partly from home. This may affect the amount of office space a company needs. As an entrepreneur, you can assess this critically and move to smaller premises or, if possible, rent less space in your current building. Naturally, this is only possible when the lease expires. Landlords often use this moment to introduce an additional rent increase. Here too, it makes sense for the landlord to carefully consider the proposed increase.
Renting a business address
Would you like to work from home but prefer a business address for your correspondence? You can rent a business address without being physically present there. Work from home or anywhere else while mail is delivered to this address, which you can also put on your letterhead. This can be particularly useful if you live in an area with a less favourable reputation: your business address still presents a professional image.
Will you receive business correspondence at a different address? See our information about changing your mailing address with KVK.