Unjustified Key Money in Rental Agreements in Rotterdam

Unjustified key money in rental agreements in Rotterdam occurs more often than you think, especially in popular neighborhoods such as Kralingen, Delfshaven, or Kop van Zuid. As a tenant, you sometimes pay an amount for the transfer of keys, but this may not simply be charged as extra rent or deposit. According to the Civil Code Book 7, Title 4, every payment must be transparent and reasonable. In Rotterdam, where the rental market is tight due to port expansion and urban renewal, we see landlords applying this abuse more frequently. When is key money unjustified? For example, if the landlord has already included key costs in the rent price, or if the amount is disproportionately high compared to the actual costs (maximum €100 according to the Rent Tribunal guidelines). Step 1: Check your rental agreement for specific mentions, pay attention to Rotterdam-specific clauses on service costs. Step 2: Request a specification of costs from the landlord or real estate agent. Step 3: File a complaint with the Rotterdam Rent Tribunal, which handles cases quickly for local tenants. Practical example: A tenant in Rotterdam-South paid €300 key money for an apartment at the Erasmus Bridge, but got €220 back after the tribunal's intervention, because only €80 were actual costs for duplicates and administration. Legal tip: Keep all receipts, emails, and correspondence. In case of non-compliance, you can go to the Rotterdam district court for repayment plus statutory interest. Local organizations such as Woonbond Rotterdam offer free advice. This way, you effectively protect your rights in the dynamic Rotterdam rental market.