Rent arrears or threatened eviction: what now?

Prepare your own balance schedule

Compare amounts due and paid month by month using bank records. Include payments to a previous agent or account and request the landlord’s breakdown. Differences may reflect missing processing, a disputed increase or genuinely unpaid rent. Identify discrepancies with dates and evidence. A total without periods does not establish what should be accepted, paid or contested.

Check interest and collection costs separately

Request itemised fees, interest and other additions. The Rijksoverheid explains collection agencies and collection fees. The reminder and applicable conditions matter. An official-looking invoice does not automatically establish liability. Keep earlier demands so the sequence of notice and charging can be assessed alongside the claimed amounts.

Include ongoing rent in the plan

A repayment offer only works if current rent can still be paid. Budget income, essential expenditure and other debt. An excessive promise can create new arrears quickly. Explain uncertain income accurately and seek support for a realistic arrangement. Mark which payment covers the current month and which repays old debt, avoiding conflicting accounting and expectations.

Record the agreement clearly

Specify the balance, instalments, dates and treatment of fees and interest. Address existing proceedings and any announced eviction explicitly. Permission to pay in instalments does not settle those matters alone. Keep final consent and establish authority to give it. Discuss what happens after an unexpected setback rather than silently missing a promised payment and making further negotiation harder.

Contact municipal debt assistance

Municipalities provide debt support. The Rijksoverheid explains applying, distinguishing ordinary assistance from threatening situations. Explicitly identify summonses and eviction dates and supply documents. Registration does not immediately forgive debt or suspend court proceedings. Ask for a named contact and which actions remain your responsibility while an application is assessed. The government states that help must be provided within three days of reporting a threatening debt situation, such as eviction. Explicitly request urgent handling and give the enforcement date. This assistance deadline does not guarantee that eviction is automatically suspended. Source.

Keep the underlying maintenance or costs dispute visible

Arrears sometimes follow withheld payments over defects or accounts. Separate the original complaint and current payment position. A defects report or service objection does not automatically change every sum due. Assess the correct reduction, repair or costs route. Earlier reporting is relevant evidence rather than a universal exemption from payment.

Respond to a summons

The Rechtspraak describes tenancy proceedings. The landlord may seek dissolution and eviction as well as money. Read the requested orders, not only the debt table. Follow summons instructions, submitting recent payments and arrangements. Do not await a mediation reply while a procedural date passes: negotiations do not automatically replace required court action.

There is no universal number of months deciding eviction

The judge assesses breach and circumstances. Saying a fixed number always or never leads to eviction is misleading. Recent payments, circumstances and previous arrangements may matter. Substantiate your position concretely. Assessment goes beyond counting missed instalments, but persistent non-payment can still have serious consequences. A realistic plan should address both the amount and prevention of renewed arrears.

If judgment or enforcement already exists

Read precisely what was awarded and any enforcement announcement. Use preventing eviction to identify urgency. Seek legal help immediately with documents and discuss practical accommodation too. New payment or a support application does not automatically halt execution. Obtain clear written confirmation from the authorised landlord or bailiff of any agreement affecting enforcement.

• Monthly due-and-paid schedule
• Payments and disputed increases
• Demands and receipt dates
• Interest and cost specification
• Budget and feasible proposal
• Summons, judgment or enforcement notice