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Service Costs Settlement Procedure Rotterdam

The **service costs settlement procedure** in Rotterdam regulates how tenants and landlords divide costs for maintenance and management. Discover how it works, your rights, obligations, and local institutions such as the District Court of Rotterdam and the Legal Aid Office.

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Service Costs Settlement: Procedure Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, **service costs** are often charged for rental homes and offices for the maintenance and management of common areas. The **service costs settlement procedure** determines how these costs are divided fairly. This procedure is legally regulated and provides clarity. In this article, you will read about the steps, your rights as a tenant or landlord in Rotterdam, and what to do in case of uncertainties or disputes. In case of problems, you can go to local institutions such as the District Court of Rotterdam (Wilhelminaplein 100-125) or the Legal Aid Office Rotterdam (Westblaak 180).

What are service costs in Rotterdam?

Service costs cover maintenance and management of shared spaces in apartment complexes, office buildings, or shopping centers in Rotterdam. Examples:

  • Cleaning and maintenance of stairwells, Rotterdam harbor gardens, or parking garages.
  • Insurance for fire, buildings, and common areas.
  • Energy for lighting and heating in shared zones.
  • Water, waste, and sewage.
  • Elevator and installation repairs.
  • Administration costs of managers.
  • Parking space and green management specific to Rotterdam complexes.
You pay an advance monthly via the rent. An annual settlement follows: paid too much? Refund. Paid too little? Additional payment.

Note: Service costs differ from bare rent or personal energy bills. They are for collective expenses, divided among tenants in Rotterdam.

Legal basis in Rotterdam

Regulated in:

  • Act on Good Landlord and Good Tenant (Article 7:290 CC): Service costs settlement.
  • Civil Code Book 7: Tenant/landlord rights.
  • General Rental Conditions: Details per contract.
Rental agreements in Rotterdam often specify local rules. In case of disputes: Rent Tribunal or District Court of Rotterdam.

Service Costs Settlement: Step by Step in Rotterdam

The procedure is standardized:

  1. 1. Monthly advance payment

    You pay an estimated advance with the rent, based on expected costs in your Rotterdam complex.

  2. 2. Cost registration by landlord

    Landlord collects invoices from local suppliers, such as Rotterdam cleaning companies or elevator technicians.

  3. 3. Preparing the annual settlement

    Within 3 months after the end of the year, the landlord prepares the settlement with:

    • Overview of actual costs.
    • Difference with advances.
    • Specification per item.

  4. 4. Checks and objections

    Check the settlement. In doubt? Request specifications. No insight? Invalid. Objection within a reasonable period.

  5. 5. Handling and payment

    Settle the balance. In case of dispute: Rent Tribunal or District Court of Rotterdam (Wilhelminaplein 100-125).

Rights and obligations in Rotterdam

Tenant: Right to full specification. Pay only turn-key costs. In case of non-compliance: offset against rent.

Landlord: Must send settlement timely and in detail. Make costs verifiable.

What in case of disputes in Rotterdam?

  • Write an objection letter to the landlord.
  • No solution? Rent Tribunal.
  • Then: District Court of Rotterdam, Wilhelminaplein 100-125.
  • Free advice: Legal Aid Office Rotterdam, Westblaak 180.