Service Charges in Rent: Transparency and Recovery

Service charges for owners' associations (VvE), cleaning, or lifts: landlords must provide annual accounts. What if this does not happen?

Legal Requirements

Article 7:257 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) mandates specification and approval. Maximum costs and advance payments must be reasonable.

Review and Objection

Request the annual statement. Too high? File an objection within three months. The Rent Tribunal or court may reduce costs or order repayment with interest.

Practical Tips

Compare with market prices and VvE decisions. In cases of fraud, criminal proceedings may be possible. Many tenants successfully reclaim thousands of euros. (201 words)