An apartment right can itself be divided into apartment rights. An apartment owner may carry out this sub-division unless the deed of division provides otherwise (article 5:106(3) BW). This way a large commercial unit or the residential part of a mixed building can be divided further.
The Model Regulations 2017 have their own terms: the sub-apartment right, the sub-owner and the association of sub-owners set up by the deed of sub-division (article 1.1(u), (v), (w) and (ze)).
There are then two levels: the main VvE for the whole building and the sub-VvE for the sub-divided part. Which association decides on what, and how the voting right in the main VvE is exercised, follows from the deeds and regulations. Read both carefully before buying an apartment in a sub-divided building.
See also: Apartment right (appartementsrecht), Deed of division (splitsingsakte), Owners' association (VvE), Voting rights (stemrecht)
Legal basis: Boek 5 BW, art. 5:106, Modelreglement 2017, art. 1.1