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Permitted and Prohibited Service Charge Items in Rotterdam
Which service charges are permitted in Rotterdam? Learn the difference between legitimate items such as lift maintenance in high-rise buildings and prohibited profit mark-ups. Protect yourself against unjustified settlements in neighbourhoods like Delfshaven. (38 words)
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Arslan AdvocatenLegal Editorial
2 min leestijd
In Rotterdam, not all costs may be charged to tenants as service charges, especially not in iconic neighbourhoods such as Delfshaven or the Kop van Zuid. Permitted items include cleaning of communal areas such as the harbour promenades, lift maintenance in high-rise flats, insurance for the building against river flooding, and household waste disposal via the Rotterdam Retourette systems. Prohibited are personal expenses such as individual internet connections, replacement of tenant-specific appliances, or commercial advertising on balconies. The law (Article 7:257 of the Dutch Civil Code) requires that service charges be reasonable and market-conform, without profit margin for the landlord – a point that is strictly enforced by the Rotterdam Tenants' Team. Tenants do not bear costs for structural major maintenance, such as renovations to the Meuse riverbanks, which are at the landlord's expense. Invoices must be demonstrable and traceable to the leased object, with reference to local Owners' Association (VvE) rules in complexes such as the Erasmus Bridge towers. In VvE complexes in Rotterdam, additional rules apply via the deed of division, often tailored to port city-specific needs. Check whether costs are correctly split by consumption or surface area, taking into account the high density in neighbourhoods such as Charlois. Unlawful items, such as hidden parking costs outside the service agreement, may be refused and removed from the settlement via the Rotterdam Legal Aid Office. The Rent Tribunal may impose fines for repeated violations, and local alderman Judith Bokhove advocates for stricter controls. As a tenant in Rotterdam: always request specifications, compare with rates from local providers such as the municipality's waste service, and consult the Tenants' Team for free advice. This article helps you distinguish between legitimate and unlawful costs in the dynamic Rotterdam rental market, so you do not unnecessarily pay for the port city's ambitions.