On October 27, 2026, Johan Helfensteijn (65) and his wife Antoinette (62) secured a legal victory in Landsmeer after a years-long property dispute over a neighbor’s home extension. The court ruled that the municipality of Landsmeer failed to adequately investigate whether the neighboring construction complies with building regulations, forcing local officials to re-examine the situation and issue a fresh decision.
Did You Know? According to a measurement by the Kadaster, the disputed extension sits 31 centimeters across the property line of Johan and Antoinette.
Court Ruling Mandates New Municipal Investigation
The legal breakthrough comes after a prolonged battle over a home expansion built directly against the exterior wall of the couple’s property. The construction stripped their home of its detached status, leaving them facing severe structural issues including damp and mold inside their residence. Johan and Antoinette repeatedly alerted the municipality while the building work continued unchecked, prompting years of appeals and administrative frustration.
Onverwachte wending in bizarre burenruzie rond uitbouw Landsmeer: Johan (65) en Anoinette (62) door het dolle om uitspraak rechter https://t.co/GLS1lqYvYZ pic.twitter.com/782YriVLc4
Property Value Drops and Health Impacts Mount
The structural changes to the property have carried heavy financial and personal consequences. The couple reports that the loss of their detached home status has caused the WOZ-value of their property to drop by more than 1,000 euros. The ongoing stress has also taken a severe toll on their well-being, with Johan suffering from regular migraine attacks and Antoinette spending a period in a wheelchair.
Dispute remains unresolved despite court ruling
While the recent ruling marks a positive shift for the household, the dispute remains unresolved on multiple fronts. The court did not order the demolition of the extension, meaning the municipality must first complete its mandated review before deciding on enforcement measures. A separate civil lawsuit regarding the property boundary dispute against the neighbors is still pending in court.
The municipality of Landsmeer stated that officials are still studying the ruling and cannot provide a full substantive response yet, though a spokesperson confirmed the mayor will contact Johan by telephone. In response to the developments, Johan plans to update his protest signs and demonstrate outside the town hall.
Judge orders new municipal building investigation
What did the judge order the municipality of Landsmeer to do?
The judge ruled that the municipality must conduct a new investigation into whether the neighbors’ home extension complies with building regulations and subsequently make a fresh decision.
How much has the property value of Johan and Antoinette decreased?
The couple states that the WOZ-value of their home has dropped by more than 1,000 euros because their property is no longer detached.
Is the court ordering the neighboring extension to be demolished?
No, the court did not order the demolition of the extension. The municipality must first re-evaluate the building rules before determining its stance on enforcement.
What steps should local governments take when neighbors report property line violations during active construction?
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