The Municipality of Groningen uses the KoopGarant scheme to make owner-occupied housing more affordable. With KoopGarant, you can purchase a home at a lower price than the market value because the municipality provides a buyer’s discount. As a result, a property may still come within reach even when the market value is too high.
Should you decide to move in the future, you are obliged to offer the property for sale back to the Municipality of Groningen. The municipality will buy the property back from you. You will then receive the original purchase price plus or minus a portion of the value development. The previously received buyer’s discount will then be settled.
Where can you find KoopGarant properties?
The municipality designates specific new-build projects in which homes are sold with KoopGarant. In the future, existing properties may also come onto the market with KoopGarant.
- New-build projects are announced at the start of sales.
- Existing KoopGarant properties appear on Funda.
An overview of all projects can be found in the appendix Designated projects with KoopGarant.
Eligibility requirements
- Registration
- New-build: you can register during the start of sales for the project.
- Existing construction: you respond to the property as soon as it is offered on Funda.
- Income assessment
The municipality looks at the (joint) aggregate income as stated on the income statement. Your income must fall within the established income limits. The current limits for 2025 are listed in the table at the bottom of this article.
- Owner-occupancy requirement
You must occupy all KoopGarant properties yourself.
What does the procedure look like?
- Start of sales or viewing
During this meeting, you can obtain information and ask questions to the sales agent. - Registration
You register via a registration form. If there are multiple candidates, a notary will conduct a draw. - Income check
If you are selected in the draw, the municipality checks whether your (joint) income falls within the income table. - Signing the purchase agreement
For new-build properties, you sign both a purchase and a construction agreement; for existing properties, you only sign a purchase agreement. A statutory cooling-off period of three days then applies. - Reserve candidates
If you are not selected, you will be placed on the reserve list. You may still have a chance if someone withdraws or does not meet the income requirements.
More information about the purchase process can be found in the KoopGarant information brochure for buyers (Stichting Opmaat).
Interested?
The scheme is being used for specific properties in De Suikerzijde Phase 2 and for URBN62, among others. However, the manner and conditions depend on the income limit that is yet to be established for 2026.
