The NVM is the Dutch cooperative association of estate agents and property valuers, and the largest body of its kind in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1898 and sets requirements for the training, competence and conduct of its members.
What the NVM does
- Quality assurance — members must meet training and competence requirements and are bound by a code of conduct, with a disciplinary route for complaints
- Market information — the NVM publishes regular figures on transactions, sale prices, time on market and supply. These are a widely used indicator for the Dutch housing market
- Model contracts — the NVM is involved in the widely used model purchase agreement for existing homes
- Representation — it represents the sector towards government and regulators
Sections
| Section | Field |
|---|---|
| Wonen | Buying and selling homes |
| Business | Commercial property, offices, retail |
| Agrarisch & Landelijk Vastgoed | Farms, land, estates |
Why this matters to a builder
- When buying a Dutch property you will meet the measurement instruction for usable floor area that the agents’ associations apply, based on the standard NEN 2580. That is why a listing sometimes quotes a smaller area than you measure yourself: rooms with low headroom are not counted in full
- The market figures give an indication of value development in an area — useful when weighing up an extension or refurbishment
- After a renovation it is the valuer, not the building invoice, that determines the increase in value
Note
NVM membership is not a legal requirement: agents outside the association may also practise. Membership says something about access to a complaints procedure and a code of conduct, not automatically about the price or quality of the service. Always ask about fees and terms.
Related terms
- Estate agent
- Valuation
- Usable floor area
- Purchase agreement
- Property
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