Objecting to Service Charge Settlement in Rotterdam

As a tenant in Rotterdam, you can object to a service charge settlement if you discover inaccuracies, such as high maintenance costs in neighbourhoods like Delfshaven or Feijenoord. Start with a written response to your landlord within three months of receipt, or two months for housing associations such as Woonbron or Vestia. Specify the disputed items, such as excessive cleaning costs for common areas in apartment buildings near the Rotterdam ports or undocumented lift maintenance. Attach evidence, such as quotes from local Rotterdam cleaning companies or market prices from the region. Article 7:263 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) obliges the landlord to provide transparency in the settlement. No response or rejection? File a complaint with the Huurcommissie via their Rotterdam office at the City Hall. This mediation is free and binding if the landlord fails to provide sufficient evidence. In Rotterdam housing association properties, stricter deadlines often apply due to local rental policy. Keep all correspondence, invoices, and photos of defects. Successful objection results in repayment or set-off, reducing your living expenses in this expensive city. For complex cases with large landlords such as de Key, engage a Rotterdam tenancy law lawyer via the Juridisch Loket at Schiedamseweg. Negotiate first to avoid escalation; unjustified claims are unlawful and may result in fines via the municipality. This way, you check your service charges in Rotterdam and effectively protect your rights as a tenant. (248 words)