The term occasional tenancy may sound formal, but in practice it is simply a rental model that helps both sides avoid stress. Think of it as a “safety cushion”: it reduces the landlord’s risk and gives the tenant clear, fair rules from day one.
Who is occasional tenancy designed for?
This option is primarily intended for private individuals who rent out a residential property (typically for a fixed term, up to 10 years). If you rent professionally as a business, different rules apply (institutional tenancy), but for most private landlords, an occasional tenancy agreement is one of the most practical solutions.
What are the benefits for the landlord?
The biggest nightmare for any landlord is a tenant who stops paying and refuses to move out. With a standard lease, the process can become long and unpredictable. With occasional tenancy the framework is clearer: the tenant signs a notarial declaration (at the notary) about voluntary submission to enforcement if the agreement terms are breached.
This does not mean “instant eviction at the snap of a finger”, but the procedure is usually shorter and more predictable than a classic court dispute. For the landlord it means more control and less long-term uncertainty.
What are the benefits for the tenant?
It may look like occasional tenancy protects only the landlord, but that is not true. For an honest tenant it provides stability: the landlord cannot terminate the rental “just because they changed their mind”. The agreement can be ended only on valid grounds written into the contract.
The tenant also knows the “backup plan” upfront (this is one of the required elements): where they would relocate if leaving the premises becomes necessary. In practice, this reduces uncertainty and prevents chaos on both sides.
Formalities: without them, it will not work
For occasional tenancy to work in practice, signing the agreement “at the kitchen table” is not enough. A complete formal package is required:
- The agreement itself in written form.
- The tenant’s visit to a notary (notarial declaration of voluntary submission to enforcement).
- Indication of an alternative premises/address — where the tenant would relocate if needed (see our guide: Indication of a substitute address — template and preparation rules).
- Owner’s consent for the substitute address — discussed in a separate guide: Occasional tenancy — what documents are needed to be legally compliant?.
No substitute address? You can buy one from us
In practice, the most common blocker is the substitute address. Not everyone has family or friends willing to provide an address for the required paperwork. If you need an address for occasional tenancy, you can buy it from us as a ready-to-use service.
Important point: notification to the Tax Office
This is a key step many landlords overlook. The landlord is required to notify the Tax Office about an occasional tenancy agreement within 14 days from the tenant moving in.
If you miss this deadline, you may lose a significant part of the protection and the agreement can effectively be treated as a standard lease, with all the consequences you were trying to avoid.
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For non-standard situations (e.g., multiple tenants, special termination clauses, non-standard settlements), consider consulting a professional.