'Additional research needed into the problem of speculative land trading'

The nature and extent of the problem surrounding speculative trading in (agricultural) land is unclear. Therefore, a more extensive investigation is needed. To this end, Ministers Sigrid Kaag (Finance) and Hugo de Jonge (Housing and Spatial Planning) are seeking cooperation with the Minister for Legal Protection, the Financial Supervision Office (BFT), the Land Registry, the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).

Both ministers wrote this in a letter to the House of Representatives . The Land Registry will conduct a broader and more in-depth study into the development of land sales over time. The Land Registry will also examine the distribution in the Netherlands and whether, and if so, to what extent, fragmented plots can be developed.

Levy
In response to a motion by Members of Parliament Fahid Minhas (VVD) and Faissal Boulakjar, De Jonge has promised to investigate the most effective means of preventing and combating speculative trading in and the subdivision of agricultural land. He will examine whether a levy could be a solution. The Minister expects to inform Parliament about this in the spring of 2024.

Three-stage rocket
The Royal Dutch Association of Civil-Law Notaries (KNB) previously proposed a " three-step approach " to protect consumers from speculative land trading. The proposal provides for oversight by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) of these transactions, the mandatory requirement for a notarial purchase agreement, and the prompt and proactive prevention of consumer deception.