How it appears in listings
You will see antikraak, "anti-kraak", "anti-squat" or "property guardian". The word combines anti with kraak, from kraken, to squat. Two other words in the offer matter more than the headline:
- bruikleenovereenkomst: a loan-for-use agreement, not a lease (huurovereenkomst)
- gebruikersvergoeding: a usage fee, not rent (huur)
Antikraak is not defined in law. Its legal basis is usually bruikleen, and bruikleen is not rent: there is no points maximum, the Huurcommissie cannot test anything and the notice period is whatever the contract says. You are a user of the building, not a tenant, and you can be asked to leave at short notice.
What it means for you
- You have no huurbescherming. The tenant protection of rent law normally does not apply, so the provider can end the arrangement with the notice set in the contract.
- The fee is not tested. Because it is not rent, nobody checks it against a legal maximum. Read what it covers (energy, internet) and which house rules apply, for example on guests, pets or being away.
- Keep a plan B. The building is empty for a reason, such as a sale, a renovation or demolition, so the end date is uncertain. Keep savings for a deposit and a move. Your duty to register at the address where you live still applies: check with the provider and your municipality whether the building can be used for that.
Antikraak or rental under the Leegstandwet
The legal alternative for empty buildings is temporary rental under the Leegstandwet. It is a real lease, but still without huurbescherming.
| Antikraak | Leegstandwet rental | |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | Loan for use (bruikleen) | Temporary lease with a municipal permit |
| Monthly payment | Usage fee | Rent, capped by points (except homes for sale) |
| Minimum term | Set by the contract | 6 months |
| Notice from the owner | Set by the contract | At least 3 months |
| Your notice | Set by the contract | At most 1 month |
| Huurbescherming | No | No |
A Leegstandwet permit normally runs 2 years and can be extended by 1 year at a time, up to 5 years. The lease ends when the permit expires. These rules stand apart from the ban on most tijdelijk huurcontract offers since 1 July 2024.
How common it is
Antikraak is rare on the open rental market: 0.37% of a sample of 20,000 recent listings on RentHunter (September and October 2026) mention it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have tenant rights in an antikraak home?
Normally not. You sign a loan-for-use contract, not a lease, so the protection of rent law does not apply. If you are unsure what you signed, a local Huurteam or the Juridisch Loket can read the contract with you.
How fast can I be asked to leave?
As fast as your contract allows. The notice period is not set by law, so check the clause before you sign.
Is antikraak the same as renting under the Leegstandwet?
No. Leegstandwet rental is a lease with a municipal permit, a minimum term of 6 months, at least 3 months' notice from the landlord and a rent capped by points (except for homes for sale).
