Special rules for room rental in Rotterdam
In Rotterdam, with its vibrant student areas such as Kralingen and the popular neighborhoods Delfshaven and Oude Westen, room rental with multiple tenants is commonplace. The deposit is often a single amount for the entire property. Article 7:249 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code obliges the landlord to properly manage and divide the security deposit upon departure of individual tenants, which is particularly relevant in this port city due to the high turnover among young tenants.
Division method in Rotterdam context
- Proportional: Divide based on rental period, room size, or even the Rotterdam rent price index per neighborhood.
- Attribute damage: Only to the responsible tenant, with evidence such as inspection reports that are customary among Rotterdam landlords.
- Collective pot: In the case of a joint tenancy agreement, pro rata, taking into account local customs in shared student houses.
Practical procedure for Rotterdam
1. Document individual contributions explicitly in the tenancy agreement, in line with the strict requirements of the Rotterdam Rent Committee. 2. Conduct a check-out per tenant using a shared checklist, often aligned with the municipal tenant guidelines. 3. Pay out with the agreement of the remaining tenants to prevent future claims, especially in busy areas such as Witte de Withstraat.
Legal obligations with Rotterdam perspective
Landlords in Rotterdam must maintain an interest-bearing account for the deposit (Article 7:249 paragraph 3 Dutch Civil Code). In case of mismanagement, one risks fines from the municipality or the Rent Committee. Tenants can act jointly against unlawful deductions, supported by local advice centers such as the Juridisch Loket Rotterdam.