The meaning of tenure under different conditions; empirical evidence from the Netherlands

This paper elaborates upon the meaning of tenure. The discussion is based on the writings of Saunders. His two main conclusions are that homeowners experience a greater sense of freedom and more security than renters, and that homeowners are more closely attached to their neighborhood. These inferences have been questioned on the grounds that major differences exist within the owner-occupier sector. Therefore Saunders' conclusions would not pertain to all homeowners. Moreover, the effects of homeownership and the experiences of homeowners may vary from country to country. This paperpresents an analysis of how homeowners in the Netherlands evaluate their housing situation. The findings are compared with the situation in England. Some of Saunders' insights are substantiated by the results of the analysis, but other conclusions are not confirmed.