Good landlordship: rights and duties

Identify the residential letting standards

The Wet goed verhuurderschap addresses discrimination, intimidation, written agreements and information. The Rijksoverheid landlord overview identifies requirements. Specify your subject: an unpleasant conversation, unanswered repair request and evidenced threat are different events. A factual account supports assessment of the relevant rule and next action without relying only on a general accusation.

Written terms and contact information

Newer tenancies involve duties to record arrangements in writing. Certain information about rights, repairs, contacts and complaints must also be supplied. Locate the agreement and appendices. Request missing components specifically rather than concluding no tenancy exists. The national rules explain commencement dates and information requirements for older and newer agreements. Written recording applies immediately to agreements concluded from 1 July 2023. For the general written information in existing tenancies, the transitional deadline was 1 July 2024. That old transitional period is therefore no reason to postpone information now. Source.

Costs you can check

Identify basic rent, service charges and deposit separately. Request a price breakdown and annual supporting account. Newer agreements also require a points calculation. The Huurcommissie’s Wet betaalbare huur guidance explains protection. Missing information justifies requesting it and identifying the proper route, without automatically authorising cessation of all payments.

Access to the home

Landlords generally require permission, subject to limited exceptions such as urgent emergencies. A key is not continuing blanket consent. Arrange repairs, inspections and viewings reasonably, considering relevant cooperation duties. Record date, purpose and attendees. If access is abused to pressure you or exclusion occurs, read changed locks and obtain urgent help rather than awaiting ordinary complaint handling.

Document intimidation specifically

Keep messages, dates and exact words or actions experienced. Distinguish disagreement from threats of violence, disconnection or unauthorised removal. The official tenant guidance gives examples. Identify witnesses and consequences and seek appropriate help for immediate danger. A serious, verifiable account does not require speculation about motive or presenting an unproven legal conclusion as established.

Discrimination in selection and occupation

Keep listings, criteria and refusal messages if unlawful distinction is suspected. Request a factual explanation. Home seekers may report misconduct without already having a tenancy. Assess municipal, anti-discrimination or another competent route against the actual behaviour. Suspicion and established infringement are different stages. Explain what was stated and preserve original communications rather than circulating unsupported allegations.

Additional rules for migrant workers

Certain migrant-worker letting involves separate employment and tenancy agreements and understandable written information. Check the relevant group and commencement rules. A translated website alone does not replace an individual information duty. Collect employment and tenancy documents and messages about work ending. Do not assume losing employment always ends housing rights that day. Seek focused help where employer and landlord are connected.

Maintenance and tenant duties continue

Tenants also need to pay, use the home properly and cooperate with appropriate maintenance. Make a defects report provable and offer inspection. Distinguish minor repairs from major maintenance. Conduct and repair complaints can coexist while requiring separate factual support. Keep responsibilities identifiable rather than allowing them to disappear into a list of mutual accusations.

Choose the appropriate response to an infringement

Every municipality has an unwanted landlord behaviour reporting point. It can assess enforcement and referral; housing association complaints may follow another route. Repayment, repairs or rent adjustment may additionally need the Huurcommissie or court. Preserve individual deadlines and ask what each route can deliver. A warning or municipal fine does not automatically compensate your loss.

• Agreement and supplied information
• Specific rule or missing document
• Dated events and participants
• Messages, payments and witnesses
• Earlier request and response
• Desired remedy and appropriate authority