How do you find out the ownership history of a home?

When you have a home in mind, you often only see the outside: the fresh coat of paint, the neat garden or the modern kitchen. But every building in the Netherlands has a “paper history” that can tell a lot about its actual value and potential risks. Who were the previous owners? For what amounts has the house been sold in the past? Are there any special rights or obligations on the land?

In the transparent Dutch housing market of 2026, it is easier than ever to uncover this information. Whether you want to substantiate a bid, are curious about the origin of a historic property, or want to verify that the seller is really the sole owner, this is your guide to unraveling a home's ownership history.

The land registry: The source of all truth

In the Netherlands, all data about real estate and land is centrally managed by the Cadastre. This is a public register; this means that anyone can request information about any plot in the Netherlands for a small fee.

The property information document

The quickest way to check the current status is via the “Property Information” product. For a few euros, you can immediately see:

• Who the current owner is (and if there may be multiple owners).
• When the current owner has purchased the property.
• Which deed of delivery is underlying it.
• Whether the home has been seized (for example by creditors).

The purchasebprices overview

Do you want to know what the historic prices were? The Land Registry offers purchase price summaries. By zip code, you can see the sales prices of homes in recent years. This helps you determine whether the current asking price is in line with the neighborhood's historic increase in value.

Find out the history of previous owners

If you want to dive deeper into history (for example, to see who the owners were before the current seller), you need the Mortgage Notice or an extract from the cadastral card.

In these documents, you will find references to previous acts. By requesting these acts chronologically, you can create a timeline of the ownership transfers. This is particularly interesting for historic buildings or homes where you suspect a “rapid resale” (flipping) by an investor.

Easements and special charges

The history of a home is about more than just names and amounts. Sometimes there are “rights” on the ground that have been established for decades and are still valid.

• Right of way: Can the neighbor cross your driveway to get to his garden?
• Chain clauses: Are there rules that are passed from owner to owner? (For example: you should never paint the façade in a different color).
• Leasehold: Is the land owned, or is it owned by the municipality and do you pay an annual 'canon'? The history of the leasehold contracts is essential for your future monthly payments.

These items are listed in the last deed of delivery. It is very wise to read this deed in full before signing a final purchase contract.

Historical research into monuments

For those who own or want to buy a really old house, history often goes back further than the Kadaster's digital archives (which are usually very detailed to the 90s).

• Regional archives: Many municipalities have a city archive where you can find building plans, old photos and sometimes even information about the first residents.
• The register of monuments: If a building is a national monument, the cultural-historical description is often online. Here you can read why the building is protected and what architectural transformations it has undergone over the centuries.
• BAG viewer: The Kadaster website (BAG viewer) shows you the year of construction of each building in the Netherlands for free. Sometimes you discover here that a house is much older (or younger) than the broker claims.

Why is this research important for a buyer?

Checking ownership history is not an unnecessary luxury, but part of your duty to investigate.

1. Negotiating position: If you see that a home was purchased six months ago for €300,000 and is now on the market for €450,000 without renovation, you have a strong argument in the negotiation.
2. Excluding fraud: It's rare, but you want to make sure that whoever signs the contract is actually authorized to sell.
3. Future restrictions: By knowing the history of easements, you can avoid legal arguments with the neighbors about who can install that fence or who should maintain the shared alley.

The insight: Knowledge is power in the housing market.

In 2026, finding out a home's ownership history is just a few clicks and a modest budget away. The Land Registry is your most important ally in this process. By not only assessing the current condition of the home, but also researching its history, you can get a complete picture of your potential purchase. After all, you are not only buying a physical home, but also the associated rights, obligations and financial history.

Remember: a qualified buying agent will usually do this research for you, but as an independent bidder, you are responsible for verifying this crucial information before signing.