Recovery of Rental Deposit upon Termination of Tenancy in Rotterdam

Upon termination of the tenancy in Rotterdam, including by mutual consent, the tenant is entitled to repayment of the deposit minus deductible costs. Landlords in Rotterdam may deduct for damage, unpaid rent, or service charges as customary in Fenex or real estate funds, provided they are proven and reported within a reasonable period via the neighbourhood teams or local Rent Team Rotterdam. A standard delivery inspection records the condition of the property, often in consultation with housing associations such as Woonbron or Vestia. According to Article 7:266 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), the deposit must be repaid within one month after delivery, unless otherwise agreed in the contract. In case of a dispute in Rotterdam, the tenant approaches the Rijnmond Rent Committee or the District Court of Rotterdam for expeditious handling. Tips for tenants in Rotterdam: take photos of the property at check-in and check-out, keep receipts for repairs, and demand a detailed settlement in accordance with local guidelines. Landlords must be open to discussion via the Rotterdam Tenants' Union to prevent escalation. In mutual consent scenarios, common in the port city due to the flexible rental market, an agreement on the deposit is often reached in the termination document. This prevents lawsuits before the subdistrict court and promotes goodwill. Tenants with a guarantee fund via the Rotterdam Renters Guarantee Fund have additional protection. Always check the original deposit amount and contract terms, taking into account the stricter Rotterdam rules for arrears in maintenance in neighbourhoods such as Charlois or Feijenoord. (278 words)