Rent Tribunal Authorities
The Rent Tribunal handles deposit disputes for social housing rentals (Article 7:251 of the Dutch Civil Code). It provides free advice and issues binding decisions on repayment.
District Court Procedure
For the private sector: a summons with supporting documents is required. Costs: court fees of €85. The judge may impose a penalty for non-compliance.
Protection Mechanisms
- Interim Relief: Expedited procedure for urgent repayment.
- Interest: Statutory interest on late repayment (Article 6:119 of the Dutch Civil Code).
- Penalty Clause: Often included in rental agreements for delays.
Statistics
In 2023, the Rent Tribunal handled 15,000 deposit cases, with 70% ruled in favor of tenants due to lack of evidence.