@smokeitup 388057 wrote:
Squatting becomes illegal in the Netherlands | Radio Netherlands Worldwide
DutchNews.nl – Trouble looms over squatting ban, from official sources
uhoh. can we say RIOTS?
TBH the Dutch may find a compromise of some sorts, particularly as he mayors of the cities don’t want to enforce the ban! The housing situation is a lot different between NL and the UK (and maybe other European nations). the laws on renting out houses in the Netherlands are still like the old pre-1980 British laws rather than todays modern short term tenancies.
So tenants in a legitimately rented house become protected/sitting tenants and cannot be easily evicted when the building is sold (the landlord has to get the tenants agreement to leave). This creates a shortage of affordable rental properties, as NL does not yet have short hold tenancy agreements of 1-5 years (which is what most people here in UK rental housing have).
Therefore many councils and building owners in urban areas of the NL tolerate squatting provided the building isn’t trashed and utilities are paid for and it is not a magnet for crime. Otherwise young people and migrant workers would find it impossible to afford a place to live, and it the building is council owned it saves money compared to running a housing estate!
In many cases, the local cops (equivalent to a Safer Neighbourhood Team here) work constructively with many squatters to ensure that the squat is safe (i.e fire brigade know how many people might be present) and that bills are paid. There is of course disagreement amongst “purist” anarchists with this arrangement, but it seems like a sensible compromise TBH.
there are of course issues with crime, anti social behavior and illegal immigrants in the squats (no more so than any other urban area!) which is what conservative politicians have seized on – however any ban can only work if NL changes its rental laws to provide more affordable housing.
