Rental Deposit and Termination Settlement in Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, with its vibrant port districts and diverse neighbourhoods such as Delfshaven and Kralingen, strict rules apply to the rental deposit upon termination of a tenancy agreement. According to Article 7:266 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), the landlord must repay the deposit within one month after the tenant's departure, minus any justified outstanding claims. Rotterdam landlords, often active in the busy student and expat rental market around Erasmus University, may not arbitrarily withhold everything; any damage must be substantiated with invoices or receipts. Tenants in the city should carefully check the final settlement and object within a reasonable period, for example in disputes over high cleaning costs in older properties along the Westersingel. In case of disputes, you can go to the Rotterdam Rent Tribunal or the district court in the Courthouse on Schipperstraat. Typical examples in Rotterdam: outstanding service charges for lift maintenance in high-rise flats or extra cleaning after parties in Fenix lofts. Prevent disputes by drawing up a joint delivery statement during the final inspection, especially for popular rental properties in Rotterdam-South. Even in cases of urgent grounds for termination, such as nuisance in densely populated neighbourhoods, the deposit remains protected. The municipality of Rotterdam offers free advice through the Housing Desk for tenants in financial distress, which prevents post-termination trouble. This ensures a smooth transition in this dynamic city. (248 words)