History : What changed with Amsterdam erfpacht?
2016 - Amsterdam introduced perpetual leasehold
Amsterdam renewed its erfpacht system and introduced eeuwigdurende erfpacht: perpetual leasehold.
Before this, many homeowners were in the old voortdurende erfpacht system, where the canon is fixed for a period, often 50 or 75 years, and then recalculated at the end of the period.
With perpetual leasehold, homeowners could lock in future erfpacht conditions, giving more certainty about future costs.
2017 - The first transition scheme opened
In 2017, Amsterdam introduced the Overstapregeling for residential leaseholders.
This gave homeowners the option to switch from continuing leasehold to perpetual leasehold.
From autumn 2017 until 8 January 2020, homeowners could apply under relatively favorable conditions, including older WOZ values and the 2017 Buurtstraatquote.
2017–8 January 2020 — Favorable conditions were available
During this period, homeowners could apply based on the earlier favorable calculation conditions.
These included:
the lower WOZ value from 2015 or 2016;
the 2017 Buurtstraatquote;
a canon percentage of 2.39%;
and a 35% transition discount.
These conditions mattered because later calculations could be based on newer, often much higher values.
8 January 2020 - The favorable window closed
After 8 January 2020, the earlier favorable conditions ended.
Homeowners could still apply to switch to perpetual leasehold, but under the regular/current policy. That means calculations are generally based on more current values, which may produce much higher costs.
This is one of the key reasons some homeowners are now shocked by the difference between what they might have paid under the old favorable conditions and what they may face now.
2021 - Complaints and concerns about the information
In 2021, ACM received reports from erfpachters about the municipality’s information around the transition conditions.
The official regulation later stated that ACM had discussions with the municipality and that the explanation of the WOZ “leverage effect” may not have been clear enough for some consumers to understand the importance of applying under the temporary favorable conditions.
This matters because the financial impact was not just technical. If people did not understand the effect of rising WOZ values on future canon, they may not have understood what was at stake.
2022 - Amsterdam created the regret scheme
In 2022, Amsterdam created the Spijtoptantenregeling: a one-time regret scheme.
This gave certain leaseholders another chance to apply under the favorable conditions that had applied before 8 January 2020.
The scheme was meant for people who, for example, had not applied before the deadline, had applied after 8 January 2020, or had started but not completed the process, depending on the specific conditions.
28 November 2022–1 August 2023 - The regret scheme was open
The regret scheme became available in late 2022 and allowed eligible erfpachters to submit an application until 1 August 2023.
The official regulation says eligible spijtoptanten could submit one application to be assessed under the financial conditions that applied between 1 October 2017 and 8 January 2020.
June–July 2023 — Research showed many people still did not understand
The municipality had Delta Marktonderzoek conduct research among erfpachters who qualified for the regret scheme.
The findings showed that knowledge and understanding were still a major issue. The research said there was a clear relationship between whether people used the regret scheme and their level of knowledge and understanding of the possible transition to perpetual leasehold. It also found that only about six in ten eligible erfpachters knew about the regret scheme by mid-June 2023.
The same research found that only a minority of people who read the explanation of the WOZ leverage effect found it clear, and only about one in three understood it well.
1 August 2023 - The regret scheme closed
After 1 August 2023, the regret scheme was no longer available for new applications.
That means many homeowners who missed it, did not understand it, could not complete the process, or were excluded from it are now left with the regular/current route.
2024–2025 - The issue did not disappear
The municipality has continued to say that switching to perpetual leasehold is still possible, but under the current regular policy.
That means current WOZ values, current BSQ, and current calculation rules may apply, even though a 35% transition discount may still be available.
The municipality’s own 2025 figures said that among private residential leaseholds, around 54% had switched, around 13% still had an ongoing application, around 16% had once applied but not switched, and around 17% had never applied.
So the issue is not only historical. Many homeowners are still in the old system, have incomplete or unresolved applications, or may only discover the financial consequences later.
What changed?
The most important change is this:
Before 8 January 2020, eligible homeowners could apply under earlier favorable conditions.
After that date, the regular/current calculation rules apply.
The regret scheme gave some people a temporary second chance, but it closed on 1 August 2023.
What has not changed?
Many homeowners are still dealing with uncertainty.
If you did not switch, Amsterdam says you remain in the old continuing leasehold system. Your current conditions continue for now, but at the end of your leasehold period, your canon can be recalculated based on the WOZ value and canon percentage that apply at that time.
That means some homeowners may already be facing much higher costs, while others may not yet realize what missing the transition or the regret scheme could mean for their future costs.
Why this matters now
This is why personal letters to ACM matter.
If only a few people speak up, the issue can be treated as isolated cases.
If many leaseholders explain what happened to them, ACM can better see the pattern:
people did not understand the financial consequences;
the information was difficult to understand;
some people missed or could not complete the process;
some people were excluded from the regret scheme;
and many homeowners may still be at risk of major cost increases.
Your letter helps show the scale of the problem and why action is needed now.