Introduction

At OH-Stay.com, we have compiled this resource to assist our hosts in understanding their responsibilities and to offer a general overview of the legal, regulatory, and practical considerations pertinent to hosting. Hosts are required to adhere to our Hosting Standards and to ensure full compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to their specific location and situation. Please note that this article is not comprehensive and does not constitute legal or tax advice. We advise hosts to conduct their own due diligence, as the information provided may not be updated in real time. Ultimate responsibility for verifying, interpreting, and complying with all information presented herein rests with the host.

Table of contents
Health and Cleanliness
Local Regulations
National Taxes
Regulations and Permissions
Safety
Good Manners
Insurance
Other Hosting Information

Health and Cleanliness

Information about OH-Stay.com's cleaning protocols can be found in our Responsible Hosting Guide.

National taxes

Tax is a complex topic. Your own tax obligations can vary based on your particular circumstances, so we recommend that you research your obligations or consult a tax professional to get more specific information.

In general, the money you earn as a host on OH-Stay.com is considered taxable income which may be subject to different taxes like rental tax, income tax, or VAT.

For Dutch residents, tax returns for the Netherlands are generally filed in spring each year. Check with the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst) to find out if you need to declare the amount you earn from hosting (you can view this in your OH-Stay.com earnings summary). It’s also a good idea to find out if you’re eligible for other credits like tax reliefs and allowances. For general guidance in English, see Belastingdienst – Individuals.

Tourism tax

Each municipality in the Netherlands may levy a tourism tax (toeristenbelasting). In some cities, platforms may collect and remit this tax; in others, hosts must handle it directly. Always verify with your municipality. See the national overview: Rijksoverheid – Woningverhuur aan toeristen and What is tourism tax?.

Local regulations

On 1 January 2021, the Tourist Rental of Housing Act enabled municipalities to require registration numbers, set night limits, and introduce reporting requirements. Check whether your municipality has a registration obligation here: Registratiesysteem Toeristische Verhuur and the list of participating municipalities.

Helpful city pages (examples):

• Amsterdam – Registratienummer & permits

• Rotterdam – Registratie- & meldplicht and Vakantieverhuur regels

• The Hague (Den Haag) – Vergunning/ontheffing & registratienummer

• Utrecht – Short-stay/holiday rental (municipal portal) (search “vakantieverhuur” / “registratienummer”)

Hosting regulations (how categories typically differ)

• Private vacation rentals: You may be required to obtain a registration number, respect night caps, guest limits, report stays, and pay tourism tax. Check your city’s page (see links above).

• Bed & breakfasts: Usually run from your primary residence while you are present. Registration and other rules may still apply; night caps often differ from private vacation rentals. Confirm on your municipal site.

Registration (general steps)

• Register your address via your municipality or the national portal: toeristischeverhuur.nl.

• Follow the instructions to obtain your registration number.

• Add your registration number to your OH-Stay.com listing in Listing details so it appears on your advertisement.

Regulations and permissions

It’s important to make sure you’re allowed to host on your property. Some examples of restrictions include contracts, laws, and community rules. Check with a lawyer or local authority to learn more about regulations, restrictions, and obligations specific to your circumstances. If in doubt, consult your municipality’s site (see Rijksoverheid overview).

Contractual agreements and permits

Sometimes leases, contracts, building regulations, and community rules have restrictions against subletting or hosting. Housing associations (VvE) may prohibit short-term rentals. Review any contracts you’ve signed or contact your landlord, community council, or other authority. You might be able to add an addendum to your lease or contract to clarify responsibilities and liabilities for all parties.

Mortgage restrictions

If your property has a mortgage (or any form of loan), check with the lender to make sure that there aren’t restrictions against subletting or hosting.

Subsidized housing

Subsidized housing usually has rules that prohibit subletting without permission. Check with your housing authority or housing association if you live in a subsidized housing community and are interested in becoming a host.

Housemates

If you share your home with others, consider making a formal housemate agreement. It can cover how often you plan to host, guest etiquette, revenue sharing, and more.

EU consumer protection law

According to EU consumer protection law, when you commercially offer goods or services online, you’re required to provide customers with specific information. Hosting through OH-Stay.com is a service. Review your obligations via Your Europe – Consumer law (general EU resource).

Safety

We care about the safety of hosts and their guests. You can improve your guests’ peace of mind by providing a few simple preparations like emergency instructions and noting any potential hazards.

Emergency contact information

Include a contact list with the following phone numbers: local emergency numbers, the nearest hospital, your contact number, and a backup contact. It’s also a good idea to make sure guests know the best way to contact you in case of an emergency. You can also communicate with guests using messages on OH-Stay.com as a safe alternative.

Medical supplies

Keep a first aid kit and tell your guests where it is. Check it regularly so you can restock supplies if they run out.

Fire prevention

If you have gas appliances, follow applicable safety regulations and make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector. Provide a fire extinguisher and maintain it regularly.

Exits

Ensure you have a clearly marked fire escape route and post an easy-to-read map.

Hazard prevention

Inspect your home for trip/fall risks, fix exposed wires, ensure stair railings are secure, and store hazardous items safely.

Climate control

Ensure proper ventilation, provide safe-use instructions for heating/AC, verify the thermostat works, and service appliances regularly.

Preventing Legionnaires’ disease

Building owners/operators have a duty of care regarding water safety (e.g., hotels, B&Bs, campsites). Review national guidance and practical measures: RIVM – Legionella and European technical guidelines (overview).

Occupancy limits

Establish safe occupancy limits. Your municipality may set guidelines.

Courtesy

• Building rules: If your building has common spaces or shared amenities, share the rules with guests.

• House rules: Add them in the Additional notes section of your OH-Stay.com Listing details.

• Neighbors: Let neighbors know you plan to host and share how to contact you about concerns.

• Noise: Set quiet hours and consider limits on parties, pets, and extra unregistered guests.

• Parking: Explain building/neighborhood parking rules.

• Pets: If you allow pets, share where to exercise them and dispose of waste; have a backup plan (e.g., nearby kennel).

• Privacy: Always respect your guests’ privacy. When using any monitoring devices, follow our rules and applicable local laws.

Insurance

Work with your insurance agent or carrier to determine what kind of obligations, limits, and coverage are required for your specific circumstances. We strongly encourage all hosts to review and understand the terms of their insurance policy coverage. Not all insurance plans will cover damage or loss of property caused by a guest who books your accommodation.

Liability and basic coverage

Review your homeowner's or renter's policy with your insurance agent or carrier to make sure your listing has adequate liability coverage and property protection.

Other hosting information

For more on Dutch short-term rental policy and host obligations, see Rijksoverheid – Woningverhuur aan toeristen and your city’s pages linked above.

Important: Hosts are solely responsible for their conduct and compliance. OH-Stay.com doesn’t control individual host behavior and therefore isn’t liable for their actions. Hosts who fail to uphold their responsibilities risk suspension or removal from our site. OH-Stay.com is not responsible for the accuracy of information on third-party sites linked in this resource.