Bad landlord practice hotline
The Wet goed verhuurderschap (Good Landlord Act) aims to curb inappropriate behaviour by landlords, such as demanding an excessive security deposit, charging unfair service charges, discriminating and threatening. The Act sets out rules that all landlords must follow. If landlords fail to follow these rules, the municipality can issue a warning or fine. Tenants can also report inappropriate behaviour by landlords and contact the municipality with queries.
What you can report
These are the rules for good landlord practice, about which you can submit a report:
- Landlord may not discriminate against the applicant.
- Landlord may not threaten or frighten the tenant.
- Landlord may require a maximum of two months' basic rent as a security deposit.
- Landlord must draw up a written rental agreement.
- Landlord must properly inform tenants. About the tenant’s rights and duties relating to the property (which are not in the rental agreement). About the amount of the security deposit and when it is repaid to tenants when the tenancy ends. About contact information where the tenant can reach the landlord. About information from the undesirable rental behaviour hotline. About the service charge, landlords must provide a complete breakdown of costs.
- Landlord only charges service charges that are specified in the law (Section 259 and 261 of Civil Code, Book 7, in Dutch).
- Letting agent may not charge agency fees to the tenant.
If the landlord rents to a foreign worker, the landlord must also:
- Record the rental agreement separately from the employment contract
- Inform tenants in writing in a language they understand
Who can report something
The hotline is there for anyone who rents a property from:
- Private landlords
- Letting agents (agencies that put tenants in touch with private landlords)
- Employers that arrange housing for foreign workers
Housing association tenant
If you rent a property from a housing association, you can submit your report there.
What we do with your report
We offer help or refer you to another party that can help you.
More information
Information for landlords (Rijksoverheid.nl) (in Dutch)