Liability with a second home

You remain the possessor

Article 6:174 DCC makes the possessor liable for damage caused by a defect in the structure. That is strict liability: whether you knew of the defect is irrelevant.

A roof tile that comes loose, a rotten handrail, a slippery jetty at a holiday home: where there is injury, the loss is calculated over the victim's whole life.

Letting is not private life

If you let the home, even occasionally through a platform, that is commercial use. Your personal liability insurance was not written for that and can refuse cover.

Report the letting and have it recorded which cover applies to it.

Maintenance at a distance

A property you rarely visit deteriorates without you noticing. Have it inspected periodically and record what was checked and when.

When a claim comes, the question is whether you could reasonably have known of the defect. That inspection file is your only defence.

Abroad

If the home is outside the Netherlands, the local law on liability, which can differ considerably. Check whether your policy covers that country and up to what amount.