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Your home, our knowledge

Maintenance and defects

A maintenance problem is easier to discuss when the details and previous reports are clear. List the affected rooms, visible damage and contacts you have already made. Keep photographs and messages together, adding a short description whenever the situation changes.

These guides cover defects, mould, leaks, minor repairs, renovation, energy improvements and nuisance. Choose the subject closest to what is happening in your home. Use the explanation to complete your report and prepare specific questions for a discussion with the landlord or a suitable adviser.

01

Document what you can observe

Take clear photographs and note where and when the problem appears. Keep earlier reports, replies and agreements together without assuming what caused the problem.

02

Prepare a clear report

Describe the problem, its effect on your home and what you have already requested. Keep a copy of your report and any answers you receive.

03

Choose the next discussion

Read the relevant maintenance guide and list unanswered questions. Bring your record when discussing possible next steps with the landlord or an appropriate adviser.

Maintenance

Find guidance for your situation.

8 articles
Maintenance

Defects, mould or overdue maintenance?

Document and report a defect, distinguish urgent safety issues and choose between repair, temporary rent reduction and damages.

Read the guideMaintenance

Mould in your rented home: cause, reporting and next steps

Record recurring damp and mould, request investigation of the moisture source and separate repair from health and rent questions.

Read the guideMaintenance

A leak in your rented home: limit damage and request repairs

Separate immediate safety, fixing the source, restoring finishes and compensation for damaged belongings.

Read the guideMaintenance

Minor repairs: which maintenance does the tenant pay for?

Check the actual task, cause and statutory conditions before commissioning a repair or accepting a charge.

Read the guideMaintenance

Temporary rent reduction for serious defects

Prepare evidence of seriousness, reporting and duration and distinguish a binding rent decision from advice or a repair order.

Read the guideMaintenance

Renovation of your rented home: assess the proposal

Check the work, disruption, temporary relocation, return arrangements and proposed rent increase before agreeing.

Read the guideMaintenance

Energy improvements: agreements and total housing costs

Assess insulation, heating, ventilation, maintenance and proposed additional charges together before agreeing.

Read the guideMaintenance

Neighbour nuisance: build a useful evidence file

Record specific incidents and choose an appropriate response through discussion, mediation, landlord or municipality.

Read the guide
Read more about your next step

Tenancy and living

Explore tenancy agreements, renting a room and sharing a home. Organise your documents and choose a guide for your situation.

Rent and rent increases

Understand your question about rent, housing categories or an increase. Organise payment records and prepare a focused request for help.

Charges and deposit

Explore service charges, utilities and deposits. Compare agreements with statements and identify the documents your question needs.

Ending a tenancy

Navigate questions about ending a tenancy and changes at home. Collect the relevant messages and prepare your next discussion.

Tenancy disputes and help

Prepare for help with a tenancy dispute. Organise records about arrears, landlord conduct, a summons or a possible eviction.

Prepare your rental questionFind a tenancy lawyer

Sources and editorial accountability

These sources relate to the topics on this page. The individual articles include further references alongside their explanations.

Sources consulted on

  1. RijksoverheidRijksoverheid — addressing poor maintenancerijksoverheid.nl
  2. RijksoverheidRijksoverheid — maintenance responsibilitiesrijksoverheid.nl
  3. HuurcommissieHuurcommissie — defects procedurehuurcommissie.nl
  4. GGD LeefomgevingGGD Leefomgeving — preventing and removing mouldggdleefomgeving.nl
  5. RijksoverheidRijksoverheid — rights during renovationrijksoverheid.nl

The links open the original publications, usually in Dutch.

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Received a rent increase: what can you check?Check your sector, basic rent, contractual calculation and applicable limits before choosing the right response.
Defects, mould or overdue maintenance?Document and report a defect, distinguish urgent safety issues and choose between repair, temporary rent reduction and damages.
Getting your deposit back when the tenancy endsDocument the end date, property condition and key handover and request a supported deposit settlement.
Your landlord gives notice: do you have to leave?Assess security of tenure, the stated termination ground and the court’s role before agreeing to departure.
Rent arrears or threatened eviction: what now?Check the balance, propose a realistic payment plan and respond promptly to collection letters, summonses and judgments.
Legal help with a tenancy disputeChoose assistance suited to the question and urgency and obtain clear confirmation of representation, costs and responsibilities.

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