Good Landlordship Act
On July 1, 2023, the Good Landlordship Act came into effect, marking an important milestone for both tenants and landlords of residential and lodging spaces in the Netherlands. This law requires landlords to inform tenants in writing about their rights and obligations. Landlords must comply with this requirement by July 1, 2024. In this blog post, we provide an overview of the key aspects of this law and what it means for you as a tenant.
Various Aspects:
Service Charges:
Service charges are additional costs on top of the base rent for services related to the property, such as cleaning costs, hallway lighting, and concierge services. The landlord may only pass on the actual costs incurred without making a profit. Costs for gas, water, and electricity are not included and must be paid by the tenant themselves. The landlord must provide a clear annual overview of the service charges billed to the tenant.
Written Lease Agreement:
As of July 1, 2024, landlords must document all agreements with tenants in writing, such as in the lease contract. In urgent situations, such as a gas leak, the landlord may enter the property without permission, even if this is not specified in writing. Additionally, tenants have the right to be informed if the property has defects. The lease agreement must clearly outline which costs are the landlord's responsibility and which are the tenant's. For major defects, the landlord must refer the tenant to useful information.
Types of Lease Agreements:
There are various types of lease agreements that offer tenants different rights regarding rent and rent price protection. This is important for how the lease can be terminated or extended and for possible rent price regulation. More information on the different types of lease agreements can be found here. More information on tenant rights can be found here.
Rental Committee or District Court:
For disputes about rent, maintenance and defects, or service charges, tenants can turn to the rental committee or the district court. An overview of when to approach each entity can be found here.
Reporting Point:
If tenants have complaints about landlords not complying with the rules, they can report them to the relevant municipality via this overview.
The Good Landlordship Act is an important step to better protect tenants and provide more clarity about their rights and obligations. Make sure you are well informed as a tenant and know where to go in case of problems.
