Tenants' Rights with Private Landlords in Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, with its vibrant rental market in neighbourhoods such as Delfshaven, Kralingen and the Kop van Zuid, private landlords must comply with the same strict rules as housing associations. Tenants in the port city, however, have additional points of attention due to the high demand for housing. The deposit must be mandatorily deposited into a third-party account at a bank or via a notary, never into the private account of the landlord. Repayment must take place within 1 month after departure, with a detailed specification upon request. Key rights: upon move-in, you are entitled to inspection of the maintenance condition of the property. No deposit may be withheld for 'normal ageing' or wear and tear. If the landlord is in default, send a 14-day demand letter and then involve the Rent Tribunal – a procedure frequently used in Rotterdam by Woonbedrijf and tenant teams. Private rentals in Rotterdam often occur via word-of-mouth advertising on platforms such as Funda or local Facebook groups, so document all agreements in writing to prevent 'wild practices' such as double deposits or hidden costs, which the Good Landlordship Act explicitly counters. Upon transfer of the property, such as with the many investors in Rotterdam-South, the new owner automatically assumes the deposit obligations. Tenants can involve the Rent Tribunal for rent price checks, especially relevant in popular neighbourhoods where prices rise. Local statistics from the Municipality of Rotterdam: 45% of private rental agreements contain errors in deposit clauses. Always use the model contract from the Central Government or via the Legal Counter in Rotterdam. In case of mould, damp or other defects – common in older buildings along the Meuse – the landlord is responsible; no deduction from the deposit is permitted for this. Organisations such as the Rotterdam Tenant Team and !WOON offer free contract checks and advice at locations such as the Neighbourhood Centre in Feijenoord. In successful claims via the Rent Tribunal, compensation is possible, including interest compensation on the deposit. Protect yourself with digital photos at check-in and check-out, apps such as HomeCheck and report defects directly to the landlord. In Rotterdam, the municipality assists via the Tenants' Desk in escalation. (312 words)