Rights and Obligations of Tenant During Final Inspection in Rotterdam

As a tenant in Rotterdam, you have clear rights and obligations during the final inspection of your rental property, whether it concerns an apartment in Rotterdam-South, a house in Kralingen, or a flat in the skyline of the Kop van Zuid. You are obliged to return the property clean and in its original condition, deducting normal wear and tear such as light scratches on laminate floors from daily use in a vibrant city like Rotterdam. According to Civil Code Book 7 Article 7:231, you must timely inform the landlord of your preference for the inspection date, taking into account the tight rental market in neighbourhoods such as Delfshaven or Feijenoord. Be personally present at the inspection in Rotterdam to demand the signing of a complete protocol; refuse to sign if it is incomplete, especially for typical Rotterdam features such as light deposits from the salty Maas wind. Take your own photos and videos of the condition, including details such as window frames in historic buildings or modern insulation in energy label A properties. You are entitled to a copy of the protocol and access to the initial inspection report for a fair comparison. In cases of disputes over damage, such as alleged defects in Rotterdam rental properties with high traffic, you can engage a counter-expertise via local Rent Teams such as Rent Team Rotterdam. The landlord may not claim new defects that were not listed in the initial protocol, not even in older properties in Rotterdam-West. After signing, a reflection period of seven days applies to note corrections. Never pay for normal wear and tear; this legally falls under the landlord's responsibility. In the event of non-performance, common in the Rotterdam rental market with high demand, you can claim damages via the Rotterdam district court. Document everything in writing and consult free advice from Woonbond Rotterdam to strengthen your position. A joint protocol prevents conflicts with landlords in this port city and accelerates the repayment of your deposit. (348 words)