Service Charges in Rental Properties in Rotterdam: Transparency Requirements

Service charges are a common source of dispute in rental disputes in Rotterdam, especially in popular neighbourhoods such as Delfshaven, Kralingen and the Kop van Zuid. These additional costs for maintenance, heating, cleaning and municipal levies such as waste processing may be passed on by the landlord, but only if they are reasonable and fully specified. According to the Dutch tenancy law, the landlord must provide an annual detailed specification and final calculation. Do you pay advances? Then, within six months after the end of the year, an overview must follow, with repayment in case of a surplus or an additional invoice in case of a shortfall. In Rotterdam student flats and housing corporation properties of Woonbron or Vestia, transparency is often lacking, leading to complaints at the Huurcommissie Rotterdam. Common facilities such as lifts in high-rise buildings along the Maas or greenery in parks such as Erasmuspark must be priced in accordance with market rates. Tenants in Rotterdam can collectively enforce a cost investigation via the local tenants' association. Making a profit on service charges is prohibited by law, as is passing on non-permissible items such as administration costs. Strictly check your settlement: compare with Rotterdam quotes from local contractors and market prices via platforms such as Marktplaats or the municipal website. With large real estate investors in the port area, bulk contracts with unclear service charges occur more frequently. In case of unreasonableness, involve the Rotterdam district court with evidence, such as invoices and comparisons. This way, you keep your rent price in the Maasstad fair, transparent and affordable.