We are keenly aware of those investing in real estate, either directly or indirectly, with the goal of generating a future stream of financial returns from the operation and sale of the property. We support institutional investors, fund providers, and private investors, regardless of the asset class or mix—offices, retail, residential, hotels & leisure, data centers, logistics, industrial —in which they invest. We also monitor their industry organizations, such as the IVBN and Vastgoedbelang.

We have a sectoral focus on organizations that focus on inner-city and outer-city restructuring, sustainable area development, the development of social and healthcare real estate, or those involved in PropTech. We support them from initiative to completion. We are familiar with NEPROM, the NVB, and Bouwend Nederland (Dutch Construction Industry Association). We work with their members to find solutions to deal with the Nitrogen Action Program (PAS) case law and have presented our work to them on the Malieveld.

We focus on parties we can support in the field of tenancy law for retail space, hotels, logistics, other commercial space and residential space, but also with regard to general contract law and tenancy law-related topics such as leasehold, easements and temporary use.

Property managers offer significant added value for clients, property owners, and investors. Their services are highly cost-effective. Good property management—administrative, technical, commercial, and legal—optimizes property management and increases the current value and return on leased properties. This results in satisfied users, lower turnover rates, and clear cost insights. We help asset managers achieve this and closely monitor the VGM, the advocacy group for property and homeowners' association (VvE) managers in the Netherlands.

It's important that you feel comfortable and at ease in your home and that you enjoy living there undisturbed. This also applies—and perhaps even more so—if you own an apartment. After all, you and the other owners are jointly responsible for the entire building: management, maintenance, livability, and safety. The better everything is arranged, the greater the enjoyment of living. Some apartment complexes have a dormant Owners' Association (VvE). Other complexes have an active VvE. Properly managing such a VvE requires knowledge of regulations and insight into processes you don't encounter every day. Within many VvEs, questions frequently arise, such as: "Can we make decisions if not everyone is present at the General Members' Meeting?" "Can I rent out my apartment through Airbnb?" "How do you manage shared expenses?" "Can we achieve collective purchasing benefits?" Apartment law is complicated and often raises questions and problems. We possess knowledge and experience in condominium law and closely monitor all developments to keep our knowledge up-to-date. We are committed to providing legal and notarial support to homeowners' associations (VvEs) and apartment owners, thus contributing to greater living comfort and a positive atmosphere within the VvE.

We see the added value of a good real estate agent every day. They deliver added value based on their own expertise and mission. We also see differences. We support real estate agents where needed. Both residential and commercial ( retail/office/industrial ). Large and small. Whether they're buying or selling. Whether they're members of the trade associations NVM, VastgoedPRO, and VBO or not.

Borrowing money costs money. We all know that. Even with historically low interest rates. Saving money costs money. Private individuals and professionals are looking for an attractive risk/return ratio. They prefer to invest in real estate rather than in a savings account at the bank. However, since the credit crisis, the financing sources and conditions for real estate financing have changed dramatically. In addition to regular bank financing, forward funding, co-financing, and the injection of additional equity are increasingly being used. The LTV (Long-Term Guarantee) now looks very different. We know how to combine the possibilities of traditional (bank) financing with the strength of our network of specialized real estate financiers and private investors. Even if banking doesn't (completely) work, we can often still help professional parties.

Many investors strive for quality real estate, quality cash flow, maintaining high-quality financing, a good loan-to-value ratio, and continuous attention to the quality of their own organizations. Companies like Blackstone, Round Hill, and CBRE are hitting the Dutch housing market. They're buying in bulk, renovating, and selling. This is putting pressure on the market. Unlisted real estate fund providers have made a comeback, often seeking niche markets such as German supermarkets, parking, or student housing. Real estate comparison tools help private investors see the forest for the trees. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The difficult retail market is caused by a decline in real disposable income over the past ten years due to higher fixed costs such as housing, healthcare, subscriptions, and smartphones. Their confidence has eroded. The uniform, large retail offering with little added value and many "sales" has diminished, squeezing profit margins. Furthermore, the aging population is rapidly increasing, and consumer spending patterns have changed. Alongside these developments, e-commerce is also forcing retailers to adopt new business models. V&D, Hudson Bay, Blokker, Intertoys, Cool Cat, Manfield, Witteveen, Scapino, Dixons, Miss Etam, Halfords, Polare, and Free Record Shop, to name a few, have all been affected. Marriages between real estate investors and retail tenants are collapsing. We see this happening in our region as well. We support parties in the termination of their leases and help them create successful new ones (or restarts).

Housing associations manage 2.4 million rental properties, housing 4 million people. These properties together represent approximately one-third of the Dutch housing stock. Housing associations are responsible for providing good and affordable housing for people who, for whatever reason, require some form of support. These are almost always households with modest incomes. This includes people receiving housing benefits and those on the lower middle incomes. Furthermore, housing associations pay special attention to people who are unable to find housing themselves due to social, medical, or psychological reasons, and to permit holders. Mutual solidarity is a vital asset in our democratic constitutional state. Housing associations are private, non-profit enterprises that work within legal frameworks to fulfill a social mission.

Society is changing, and therefore the housing association sector must continue to develop, renew, and innovate. Housing associations are doing just that. For example, they are accelerating the energy efficiency of their homes. Housing associations are ensuring that all their homes will be carbon neutral by 2050. This sustainability drive is also improving affordability for tenants. They are accelerating investments in solar panels, district heating (zero-energy), and home insulation.

The Housing Agenda was developed under the leadership of the Aedes trade association. This agenda serves as a starting point for consultations with various parties that can contribute to improving housing in the Netherlands. Municipalities, tenant organizations, healthcare providers, welfare institutions, tenant organizations, and other parties can then work with housing associations throughout the country in neighborhoods, districts, villages, and towns. MAES Notarissen is happy to support all these parties in the Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region in implementing the Housing Agenda and, where appropriate, will be present at the table to contribute to improving the quality of housing for tenants.