The Kelderluik Ruling
The Kelderluik ruling is a crucial Supreme Court decision from 1968 that governs liability for defects in buildings. Although the accident occurred in Amsterdam, this rule applies nationwide, including for residents of Den Haag. A passerby fell through an open cellar hatch and sustained serious injuries. The Supreme Court held the owner liable under strict liability, without proof of fault. This is key for personal injury claims in Den Haag involving tripping or falling on sidewalks or in buildings.
What is the Kelderluik Ruling?
The Kelderluik ruling (Supreme Court 5 November 1968, NJ 1969/10) concerns a 14-year-old boy who fell through an open cellar hatch in Amsterdam. The shopkeeper had opened the hatch for deliveries without barriers or warnings. The boy successfully claimed damages for a broken leg. The Supreme Court ruled that the hatch constituted a defect in the building setup, creating an abnormal risk for passersby – relevant for Den Haag, where similar accidents occur on Scheveningen sidewalks or in city centers.
This ruling established strict liability for defective buildings, focusing on objective risk rather than fault. Victims in Den Haag can more easily claim compensation for slipping on icy stairs or faulty railings. It aligns with local issues such as slipping and falling in the city, often due to poor maintenance of sidewalks or apartment buildings.
Core principle: a building is defective if it fails to meet expected standards, leading to damage. This includes stairs, railings, manhole covers, and hatches in a Den Haag context.
Legal Basis
The ruling is codified in Book 6, Title 3, Section 5 of the Dutch Civil Code, particularly Article 6:174 DCC: "The possessor of a building or structure is liable for damage to third parties caused by a defect therein." This is pure strict liability; no negligence required.
Article 6:175 DCC defines a defect as a deviation from reasonable expectations during normal use. In Den Haag, this applies to open hatches without signs or loose pavement tiles. The possessor (owner, tenant, or Municipality of Den Haag) is responsible, except in cases of force majeure or contributory negligence (art. 6:101 DCC). It combines with art. 6:162 DCC for negligence; later cases like the Schilder ruling (Supreme Court 1994) expand on it, but this remains central for real estate.
Practical Examples
In Den Haag, the Kelderluik ruling is frequently applied. Suppose you trip over a broken manhole cover on a city center sidewalk. The Municipality of Den Haag is liable under art. 6:174 DCC. Claim medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering – without proving fault.
Or in a Den Haag apartment building: a resident slips on a wet stair without anti-slip measures. The homeowners' association failed in maintenance; test against NEN standards (NEN 3215). In a 2022 case at The Hague District Court, a victim received €28,000 after falling over a defective balcony railing.
For business owners in Den Haag: secure a cellar hatch with barriers and signs when in use, or face liability as in the ruling.
Rights and Obligations
As a victim in Den Haag, you are entitled to full compensation:
- Medical costs: hospital and therapy.
- Lost income: missed wages.
- Pain and suffering: €1,000-€50,000 for distress.
- Other: assistance or travel expenses.
The possessor must maintain and repair; they bear the burden of proving innocence (art. 6:174(2) DCC). Limitation period: 5 years (art. 3:310 DCC). Report to police, take photos, and contact the Den Haag Legal Aid Office for advice.
Comparison with Other Liability Grounds
| Type of Liability | Basis | Proof Required | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strict Liability (Kelderluik) | Art. 6:174 DCC | Defect in setup | Fall through open hatch |
| Tort | Art. 6:162 DCC | Fault/negligence | Slippery floor due to poor maintenance |
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.