What you need to know when renting a room!

Key deposits & rent deposits

Sometimes you will be asked to make an advanced payment for ‘key deposits’ when renting accommodation from private persons or companies. The reason is to ensure them that you will rent the room, however the law forbids this. If this is the case then you should ask for a receipt of payment. This receipt is proof of payment and can be used to claim back your repayment (via the courts).

A (room) rent deposit is not forbidden by law. This is only the case when the deposit is less than the rent of the room (without service and energy costs).
Again ask for a receipt of payment, this amount will be refunded when you leave your room clean and in a decent condition.

Carrying/takeover costs

Tel: 0800-4887243
Internet: www.huurcommissie.nl

Occasionally previous tenants can give you the option to purchase their already installed curtains or carpets, however never immovable objects like bath tubs or tiles. It is not an obligation to pay for these so-called takeover costs, although sometimes it can be a bargain. If you should feel afterwards you have paid too much for the takeover costs, contact the Huurcommissie (rent committee) to ask if the amount was fair. It is also possible to ask the Huurcommissie to undertake actions on your behalf.

Rent

In The Netherlands, the level of rent is regulated by law, including students rooms. It works on a points system, you can easily find out yourself the fairness of your rent. The ‘Nederlandse Woonbond’ can help you with this kind of problem.

If the rent you have been asked to pay is not in accordance with the amount following the points system, you have, with the help of the rent committee, three months after payment of rent has commenced in which to request repayment of the difference from the landlord. Only an annual fixed increase of the rent is allowed, at a percentage which is officially set by law. If you pay more rent than is allowed by law, or if the accommodation is badly maintained, no increase in rent is allowed. Should this be the case, you have six weeks to send a written complaint to the landlord. For more information: www.woonbond.nl.

Rental Contracts

Rules and agreements with regard to the use of accommodation are stated in a rental contract. Normally a verbal agreement is also accepted as legal contract.

A rental contract offers you many rights (e.g. undisturbed when using the accommodation and validating the rent with the Huurcommissie), but also responsibilities. Logically you should also pay your rent on time, be a good tenant and not be a nuisance. A standard rental agreement can be obtained from the ‘Dienst Stedenbouw en Volkshuisvesting’, www.dsv.rotterdam.nl.

Rent Subsidy

Under very strict requirements, subsidies are given for renting independent residences. If your house has its own front door, kitchen, toilet etc, you can apply for this subsidy (depending on your income). For more information you should request the brochure ‘Huursubsidie’ from the ‘Ministerie van VROM’. For further information you can call the ‘Postbus 51’ information line or pick up the brochure ‘Studentenhuisvesting’ from the Post Office or the library. Postbus 51, Tel. 0800-0851 (free) Internet: www.postbus51.nl and www.vrom.nl.