The senate has voted in favour of stopping landlords offering tenants two-year contracts, after concessions were made to the CDA about renting out rooms in private homes.

The legislation to drop two-year contracts was passed by a clear majority in the lower house but support was in doubt in the senate after the pro-countryside BBB said it would vote against. The BBB is the biggest group in the senate with 16 seats.

However, last minute concessions to the CDA, which was concerned scrapping the two-year option would leave people who rented out a spare room with permanent paying guests, saw the Christian Democrats switch sides and vote in favour.

The option to rent out property for two-year periods was introduced in 2016, in the hope that it would encourage more people to become landlords. In practice, however, it has led to more uncertainty among tenants and allowed landlords to increase rents considerably in between tenancies.

The new rules will only apply to new contracts.

There are some exceptions to the rules. Landlords will still be able to cancel rental contracts if the space is needed for close family members or if they are returning from abroad and need to get their home back. Temporary contracts for students will also remain an option.