Eviction Procedure After Summons for Rental Agreement in Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, the eviction procedure starts after an unanswered summons from your landlord. You are served with a writ of summons before the Rotterdam district court (location Schiedamse Singel or Coolsingel), where a hearing is scheduled. You can raise a defence with proof of payment, medical circumstances or other urgent reasons. In case of rent arrears, the judge usually grants dissolution of the rental agreement and eviction (Article 7:271 DCC), unless special circumstances such as pregnancy or illness in your Rotterdam rental property require otherwise. After the judgment, execution follows by a bailiff from the Rotterdam district: postponement is possible up to a maximum of 6 weeks. In case of refusal, the police can assist with forced eviction, often in neighbourhoods such as Charlois or Feijenoord where rent problems are common. Costs amount to €500-€2500, including court fee and deposit, with additional rates for Rotterdam bailiffs. Protected tenants, such as pregnant women or those on minimum income with priority via Woonnet Rijnmond, receive additional safeguards. Prevent escalation by paying before the hearing or arranging a payment plan via the Juridisch Loket Rotterdam (address: Schiedamse Singel 140). After eviction, the rent arrears remain outstanding, with collection, BKR registration and risk of housing ban with housing associations such as Woonbron or Vestia. Immediately seek a priority declaration from the Rotterdam municipality for temporary accommodation or new priority housing. Assistance is available via SchuldHulpMaatje Rotterdam, neighbourhood councils or debt restructuring programmes. In the port city, eviction is a last resort, but strictly legally enforced – know the steps to protect yourself.