A Custom Feature of Questionable Value
A built-in barbecue (ingebouwde barbecue or vaste barbecue) is not a standard amenity in the Netherlands; it is a custom feature that is exceptionally rare to find in a rental property. If a garden or patio includes a brick or stone BBQ structure, it was almost certainly built by a previous owner or tenant. While it might be presented as a desirable feature for outdoor entertaining, a prospective tenant should approach it with significant skepticism. Unlike a portable grill, its location is fixed, which might not be ideal. More importantly, its condition, safety, and even the legality of its use are all major question marks. This is a non-standard feature for which the landlord is unlikely to accept any responsibility.
Condition, Safety, and Maintenance
Any built-in BBQ is likely to be offered in a strict 'as is' condition. You should inspect it closely. Is the grill grate (rooster) clean and usable, or is it a rusty, grease-caked mess? Is the structure sound, or are there cracks in the masonry? If it is a gas barbecue plumbed into a permanent gas line, its safety is a paramount concern that would require professional verification. The tenant will be fully responsible for cleaning and maintaining the BBQ. Given that it's a permanent fixture, any damage caused by neglect could potentially be claimed from the security deposit. In most cases, a tenant is better off using their own clean, modern, and portable barbecue.
The Biggest Hurdle: Usage Restrictions
The most significant problem with a built-in BBQ is that you may not even be legally allowed to use it. Barbecuing is a heavily regulated activity in the dense residential areas of the Netherlands due to the nuisance from smoke and the risk of fire. Most Vereniging van Eigenaars (VvE) regulations for apartment complexes completely ban the use of charcoal barbecues on balconies, roof terraces, and even in communal gardens. Local municipal ordinances (Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening - APV) can also impose strict rules. Even in a garden of a single-family home, causing excessive smoke that disturbs your neighbors can lead to official warnings and fines. Therefore, the presence of a beautiful brick barbecue structure is entirely useless if the rules forbid you from starting a fire in it. A tenant must always check the VvE rules and local regulations before ever considering using such a feature.
