Privacy Violations
Ruben (32): “It is very intense how Ad Hoc systematically violates my privacy and personal life with these checks. This detracts from my living pleasure. For example, I was lying in bed with my (ex)girlfriend. Then the inspector came to visit. I could barely close the door from the inside with my key. I politely asked them to stop, by calling and emailing for a humane solution. On December 23, another check/home inspection was “announced” by email for the next day, December 24, during Christmas. That was the last straw. I want privacy! That is why I am participating in the campaign Refuse the inspector put another lock on your door. I replaced my lock and sent the standard letter of house peace to Ad Hoc.”

“There are many defects in the building that are not being addressed, such as heating, electrical outlets, fire alarm systems, alarms that go off at night. Little is being done about that; you are, however, being checked on your personal privacy. This is a drastic way to check people on their lifestyle. You literally get a green card with comments and remarks on your lifestyle. Everyone finds it annoying, but no one dares to do anything or say anything about it for fear of contract termination, eviction and/or no follow-up home. Ad Hoc is now also threatening me by email with a contract termination and eviction because they are demanding my privacy. They have even torn posters that I have hung up about the campaign off the walls without warning, including on my own front door.”
“After I had changed the lock, 2 employees came to my door to try to get into my house. I will not go along with this and will do everything I can with BPW and legal help to ensure my housing security. No one should be put on the street without a court order.”
“Contracts with Ad Hoc and other anti-squat companies can be terminated without giving a reason. This hangs over the heads of residents like a constant threat. I am on the waiting list for social housing for years. In the meantime, I am forced to live in anti-squat. It is crazy that your privacy and housing rights are so poorly protected.”
Read more stories from residents here.
Join the campaign Refuse the controller lock on the door!
Privacy is a right
Peace and privacy are fundamental rights, also for temporary residents. No one may take these rights away. The Bond Precaire Woonvormen calls on residents to stand up for themselves and stop the trespassing: Refuse the inspector, put another lock on your door!
The right to privacy is, among other things, laid down in art.10 of the Constitution, the right to peace at home in art.12 of the Constitution and art. 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) states the right to respect for private and family life. Illegal access to a home is regarded as trespassing in art. 138 of the Criminal Code.
The violation of privacy, domestic peace and private life by the structural house visits of inspectors of anti-squat agencies is therefore illegal. The 'consent' for control inspections that anti-squat agencies contractually enforce on their residents should no longer be tolerated.
Housing is a right!
The Mytylschool is in a building of the Municipality of Roosendaal that has been occupied for over 8 years. The BPW states: “Ruben’s building will not be demolished in the near future. There is also no reason to put Ruben on the street. It is scandalous that municipalities work together with parties such as Ad Hoc who work with strangulation contracts for which you also pay 290 euros per month and who cannot even respect the privacy and rights of tenants. Many people who live in anti-squat have no other options due to the housing crisis. The government in particular should protect these people with decent rental rights, especially in their own buildings. There are already decades of structural abuses due to the lawless anti-squatting; a tenancy law circumvention construction. Questions have been asked about this in parliament numerous times. (e.g.1, 2, 3) This is always dismissed by various responsible ministers with promises for improvement through self-regulation of the anti-squat sector. This is at the expense of the rights and living conditions of thousands of tenants throughout the Netherlands and in Europe. It is time that the lawless anti-squat system is now legally restricted!”
The Precarious Housing Association and Ruben demand from Ad Hoc, the Municipality of Roosendaal and Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, Mona Keijzer.
- Respect the privacy, peace and residential rights of all tenants.
- Stop threatening people with eviction if they protect their privacy.
- The municipality of Roosendaal must take social responsibility, prevent homelessness and end outsourcing to companies such as Ad Hoc that use anti-squat strangulation contracts.
- Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO): Abolish anti-squatting and offer rental contracts with housing security for everyone.
Show your solidarity. Come to Ad Hoc, Emmaplein 2 in Den Bosch on Thursday 6 February at 2:00 PM. Support Ruben and all residents who are claiming their housing and privacy rights.
For more information and to contact the residents, please contact contact (at) bondprecairewoonvormen.nl
Do you also want to fight against evictions and for housing security? Then join the Bond Precaire Woonvormen:
