On behalf of the Moving team, we would like to help you with practical information about your key transfer. day off and special leave when moving. We notice that many people wonder whether they are entitled to leave or days off when they going to move. Some people have doubts about extraordinary leave, moving leave or emergency leave. In this article we explain step by step how you can take your leave, what rights you have and what you need to arrange according to your collective labor agreement or contract.
Handing over the keys and taking paid leave
You may have already made a plan for your move. You are thinking about packing boxes, changing addresses and arranging the handover of keys. It seems logical to take a day off, because a move is not just a small event. However, not everyone knows whether they are entitled to leave for this step. We are happy to provide clarity, so that you know how many days off you can possibly use and how to make everything go quickly and smoothly.
We often hear stories about people who don’t apply for their leave in time. They then have to shift vacation days at the last minute or do everything during their working hours, which can be very hectic. That’s why in this article we will discuss the best ways to plan your leave day for a key handover.
What is a key transfer leave day?
A key transfer day off is a day that you take to arrange the transfer of keys to your new or old home. You make an appointment with the notary, the real estate agent or the housing association, depending on your contract. You do not want to run away halfway through your working day to do this quickly, because such an event often costs time and attention. It is smart to take a day off, so that you can carry out the transfer and all checks in peace.
How many days do you get for a special event?
Suppose you immediately take a moment after the handover to note meter readings, take photos of any damage and look around for what you want to tackle. If you are working, you often cannot take that time. A key handover day off prevents you from having to cram everything into your lunch break or after work.
Special leave relocation: everything you need to know
What is special leave?
Special leave is a form of leave that you can apply for when a special event occurs. You can think of a wedding, a funeral, an anniversary or a move. This is often also called extraordinary leave. Whether you are entitled to this depends on what is stated in the collective labor agreement or what is included in your employment contract. Not every company or sector applies the same rules.
When is emergency leave required?
You apply for special leave if there is an important reason to schedule days off. The most common situations are a funeral or cremation of a direct family member, a wedding anniversary of your parents or your own wedding. Some collective labor agreements also see a move as a special event. In that case, you may be given one or two days off to organize everything to run smoothly.
Am I entitled to days off during a move?
Not everyone automatically gets moving leave. Some collective labor agreements state that you can take 2 days or more days off when you will move. Other collective labor agreements do not mention this. So you should first read your collective labor agreement. If you cannot find anything, it is wise to consult with your employer about taking vacation days, unpaid leave or emergency leave in exceptional situations.
Special or extraordinary leave is not always laid down in your collective labor agreement
Sometimes special leave is described in your collective labor agreement or in the company regulations, but not always specifically for a move. However, your employer can be flexible in this respect. For example, you can argue that a move is not an everyday occurrence. In most cases, the number of days of leave you have left also plays a role.
How many legal moving days are there?
There are no fixed legal moving days. Companies often choose their own course. One collective labor agreement offers 1 or 2 moving days with paid leave, the other makes nothing available. In practice, it works like this:
| Collective labor agreement or regulation | Number of days (indication) | Continued payment? |
|---|---|---|
| Collective labor agreement A (example) | 1 to 2 days | Yes, completely |
| Collective labor agreement B (example) | No mention | Not applicable |
| Company regulations (example) | 1 day in consultation | Depending on agreements |
We recommend that you view the table as a guideline only. Each collective labor agreement is different and the precise rules depend on what you agree with your employer.
The HR department can help you with applying for special leave
If you are not sure whether you are entitled to leave, ask the HR department. They know the details of your collective labor agreement and your contract. There may be an internal arrangement for special leave when moving that is not yet widely known. Or they may point you to another form of leave, such as care leave or short-term absence leave.
Request moving leave if you are entitled to leave
If you want to apply for moving leave, we advise you to do this well in advance. You send or discuss with your employer that you will move. Indicate which day (or days) you think you need. This prevents last-minute chaos and gives your employer the opportunity to plan. If it is not convenient to take official special leave, you can discuss how to use vacation days, unpaid leave or another construction.
No statutory days off for your move, what now?
If you want to take special leave, but you are not granted leave when moving, that is not the end of the world. You can use days off, or you can ask your employer for a day of unpaid leave. If you have extra vacation days, you can draw on them. Sometimes emergency leave is allowed, but that mainly applies to urgent or unexpected situations. You often plan a move well in advance, so emergency leave is not always possible.
Why should you take time off when handing over the keys?
Many people see the handover of keys as a short moment. Yet you often discover that it takes more time. You go by, receive the keys and check the house. You put the meter readings on paper and you note down defects. If you want to start a job or unpack your first boxes right away, it is very useful to have a day off. This way you avoid having to rush after work and you have more peace and quiet to discover your new place.
Legal regulations and your rights
You cannot automatically assume that you are entitled to special leave. There are no fixed legal rules for moving leave. Most collective labor agreements fill this in themselves. If nothing is stated in the collective labor agreement, then you should look at your employment contract. Sometimes you will find the option for special leave there if you will move. Or your employer gives you the opportunity to schedule a day off as a good employer.
Always provide an explanation to your employer
If you have a funeral, a wedding or another special event, you will usually find something about special leave. For example, you will get time off on the day of the funeral of a 1st degree family member, because you are usually entitled to emergency leave. Sometimes also when a second degree family member dies. Are you not sure about this? Then you can always consult your collective labor agreement to see how this is legally regulated and whether you will be granted leave. If you are entitled to a number of days of special leave, this is included in the collective labor agreement. Do you not see it in your collective labor agreement or contract? Then you can of course always go to HR. A move is less often explicitly included. Therefore, always ask if you are in doubt. So it depends on your collective labor agreement and the legal guidelines.
How do you request a key transfer day off?
- Check your collective labor agreement: Find guidelines on special leave, moving leave or extraordinary leave.
- Discuss it with your employer: Clearly state that you have a key transfer and indicate when it will take place. Employees in the Netherlands are assisted by the employer or HR department in most collective labor agreements.
- Be on time: Submit your request a few business days or even weeks in advance. Do you have any questions? Then you can always consult HR in time to ask what applies to you.
- Discussion about alternatives: If there is no special arrangement, see if you can use vacation days or unpaid leave to attend the event outside of working hours.
This process helps you to arrange everything in an orderly manner. Your employer knows when you are absent and you can go to your key handover without stress.
Practical tips to make the most of your key transfer day off
- Make a checklist. Write down what you want to do that day: receive keys, write down meter readings, map out any repairs. It's not just a day at the dentist or a doctor's visit or a job interview. J has important things to arrange, so do this on time.
- Make sure your stuff is ready. Then, after the transfer, when the days off turn into special leave, you can immediately start moving or doing odd jobs. This is especially nice for registered partnerships or, for example, for a pregnancy check-up.
- Plan new energy contracts. Contact gas, water and electricity immediately and provide your meter readings.
- Take pictures of defects. This prevents any disagreement about the condition of the home afterwards.
A well-known anecdote comes from Sara, who discovered that the bathroom tap was leaking after the keys were handed over. She had a day off, so she could immediately call someone to replace the tap. If she had had to work that day, she would not have been able to call until the evening. That caused extra delay and frustration.
Frequently asked questions about key transfer and days off
How many days off do I get when I move?
That depends on your collective labor agreement or your contract. There is no legally established number of days of leave for a move. Are you not paid during the handover of the keys? That depends on the agreements in your collective labor agreement. In this case, you can, for example, take vacation days.
Can I use emergency leave?
Calamity leave is intended for emergency situations, such as a sudden leak. A planned key transfer is usually not included. Applying for another job or negotiating salary is also not included.
Can I take multiple days off?
If you have enough vacation days or your employer agrees to unpaid leave, then that is allowed. Some collective labor agreements offer 1 or 2 days off, but not every collective labor agreement does that.
What if the transfer falls on the weekend?
Then you may not need to take a day off. However, notaries and real estate agents rarely work on weekends, so check in advance when the appointment will actually take place.
Can I just take the morning off?
Often this is possible, but ask first. In most cases you take half a day if you don't need the whole day.
Extra help: from notary to moving tips
A key transfer for owner-occupied homes usually takes place at the notary. Some notary offices give you the option to choose different times. Feel free to ask if there is a possibility to schedule the appointment outside office hours. This is usually difficult, because notary offices often have fixed opening hours.
Moving is a special event
For handy moving tips: start packing well in advance and possibly take a look in a new neighborhood if you have time. It can also be smart to get to know the new neighbors when you meet them. Sometimes you get handy tips about the neighborhood or someone knows a good handyman.
Practical experiences
Example: Mike and Marleen
They moved from an apartment in the city to a quiet village. They asked their employer for two days off. Their collective labor agreement did not include a provision for moving leave, but their boss was open to a solution. They used a few vacation days and were able to handle the handover of keys and the start of the move without stress. They immediately took photos, checked the meter readings and started moving the first pieces of furniture.
So you see that flexibility and good communication with your boss are often the key to a smooth solution.
Moving leave is nice when you are moving
A key handover day off can give you a lot of peace. You tackle everything around the move in one day, you avoid running back and forth between work and home and you keep a better overview. However, not every employee is entitled to this as standard. It depends on your collective labor agreement, your contract and how your employer deals with this.
Arrange it on time
Don't wait until the last minute. Apply for special leave or moving leave in time if you think you are entitled to it. If you can't figure it out, you can often still get by with vacation days or unpaid leave. This way you ensure a relaxed start in your new home.
Moving is happy to help you
Do you have any questions about your key transfer, your day off or the possibilities of special leave when moving? Feel free to respond. We at Moving are happy to help you with our experience and contacts in the industry. Also tell your own story, so that others can learn from your tips and discoveries.
Tip: Share this article with friends or family who will move. You might make their lives a little easier if they discover how to take leave on time. We wish you a smooth move and lots of fun in your new home!
Request free moving quotes
If you want to spend your vacation day more efficiently, it can be smart to compare moving companies. You can do this by requesting free moving quotes. While the movers do the heavy lifting, you can focus on the notary or real estate agent. This saves you time and possibly money.
