Key Money and Brokerage Fees in Rotterdam: Preventing Double Charging

In the Rotterdam rental and purchase market, real estate agents often charge key money in addition to brokerage fees, leading to double charging. The Makelaarsregeling (Real Estate Agents Act) requires transparency in fee structures. As a tenant or buyer in Rotterdam, you do not have to pay extra key money if it is already included in the agent's commission. Recognize double costs: Invoices without clear specification or amounts above €150, typically in neighborhoods such as Delfshaven or Kralingen. Action plan: Compare invoices with the established rates of the Rotterdam Tenants' Organization and demand recalculation. For rentals: Report to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate or the Rotterdam municipality via the Rotterdam Legal Desk. For purchases: File a complaint with the NVM complaints committee or the local real estate agents' association. Case study: A family in Rotterdam-South paid €350 in total, of which €120 was pure key money for a property on Bergselaan. After a complaint via the municipality, they received €140 back. Legal basis: Unjust enrichment (Dutch Civil Code art. 6:203). Document everything digitally, including correspondence with the agent, and engage the Rotterdam Legal Desk for a formal demand letter. In this port city with high real estate pressure, you thus hold agents accountable and save money on the tight market.