Middenstandsbedrijfsruimte

Retail business premises constitute a category of leased business premises primarily intended for the conduct of a retail trade or craft enterprise. Such premises are governed by Articles 7:290 to 7:310 of the Dutch Civil Code, which afford the tenant, among other things, a strong position in relation to renewal of the lease and its termination.

This regime is significant because it safeguards the continuity of retail businesses and prevents landlords from readily terminating the lease. In practice, it frequently gives rise to long-term lease relationships with fixed rents and established procedures for termination or substitution of the tenant.

In legal practice, a distinction is drawn between retail business premises and other business premises, such as offices or storage facilities, since the protections and procedures differ substantially.