Politics · Netherlands · 9 hrs ago
Penalty clause remains binding when a homebuyer backs out, Slagter says
Jan Maarten Slagter says a penalty clause remains binding when a homebuyer backs out of a purchase.
The clause is an agreement that can require the buyer to pay a penalty for withdrawing.
The issue concerns homebuyers and property purchases, though no specific buyer or transaction is identified.
Slagter says the subject recalls his university thesis from more than 30 years ago.
The legal question is how fairness and reasonableness can limit an agreement, even when the parties have accepted it.
Whether the penalty clause is binding matters to buyers who consider withdrawing from a home purchase.
No further steps or outcome are described.
Jan Maarten Slagter says a penalty clause remains binding when a homebuyer backs out.
Slagter says the issue concerns the limiting effect of reasonableness and fairness.
He writes that the subject was part of his thesis more than thirty years ago.
The article was published by De Telegraaf on 19 October 2026.
- Who
- Jan Maarten Slagter discusses the penalty clause.
- What
- He says a penalty clause remains binding when a homebuyer backs out.
- When
- The article was published on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Slagter wrote his thesis on the penalty clause and the limiting effect of reasonableness and fairness.
De Telegraaf published Slagter’s comments on the penalty clause.
- Speaker
- Jan Maarten Slagter
- Clause
- Penalty clause for a homebuyer who backs out
- Thesis topic
- Penalty clauses and the limiting effect of reasonableness and fairness
- Publication date
- 19 October 2026
What people are saying
It is strange when you see the subject of your thesis from more than thirty years ago in the newspaper.