Apply for a permit to remove a residential property from the housing stock

You need a housing withdrawal permit to:

• convert the residential property into commercial space
• convert the residential property into a shop or office
• tear down a residential property
• use a residential property for lodgings; this is usually the case if you want to rent out accommodation to people who will stay in The Hague for a short time. For more information see Begin link: Renting out short stay accommodation, end link.

• To convert a residential property into a commercial space, shop or office, you need an Begin link: environment and planning permit, end link. .
• To tear down the residential property, you need to Begin link: announce your demolition plans, end link. .
• To offer lodgings in a building where lodgings are not permitted in the Omgevingsplan, you can apply for an Begin link: exemption, end link. .

You can request the application form by sending an email to Begin link: huisvesting@denhaag.nl, end link. .

The application form will then be sent to you.

You will pay € 543.90 (in 2024) or € 562.85 (in 2025) for a withdrawal permit application. You will not get these fees back if the municipality rejects your permit application.

Because The Hague has a housing shortage, the municipality usually does not grant a housing withdrawal permit to use a residential property for lodgings. Sometimes a tailor-made solution is possible. Then the municipality will work on a legalisation track. Your buildng will get a lodgings function with the right permits: an environment and planning permit and a housing withdrawal permit.

This is only possible if you submit proof in your permit application demonstrating that your residential property has in practice been used as lodgings since its establishment (as living space).

In addition it is important that:

• there are no known violations concerning the building, other than the provision of lodgings
• the building meets the structural requirements for lodgings