Rental Costs

Moving Cost

Verhuiskosten

Moving costs are normally the tenant's own expense, except in cases of forced relocation for renovation, where a mandatory landlord allowance applies.

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A fee charged for administrative actions, which is almost always illegal when levied on a tenant by a landlord's agent.

An administrative fee, often called 'contractkosten' or a lease initiation fee, is a charge for drawing up the rental agreement, the legality of which is highly questionable.

'Leges' are administrative fees charged by government bodies for providing a specific service or processing an application.

An agency fee, also known as a broker fee or 'courtage', is a charge for real estate brokerage services which, by law, cannot be charged to a tenant if the agent is working for the landlord.

An alarm system fee is a recurring cost for professional monitoring, and responsibility for payment depends on what is agreed in the rental contract.

Paying residential rent annually is not a standard practice in the Netherlands; the law and market are based on monthly payments.

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The practical relevance of Moving Cost becomes clearer when exceptions, Dutch context, and official guidance are separated.

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Typically the Tenant's Own Expense

In a standard, voluntary move, all costs associated with relocating are the tenant's own financial responsibility. This includes the cost of hiring a moving company (verhuisbedrijf) or renting a van (verhuiswagen huren), purchasing moving boxes (verhuisdozen), and any other related expenses. The landlord has no obligation to contribute to the costs of a tenant moving into or out of their property under normal circumstances. These are considered a standard part of the process of changing residence. A tenant should always budget for these costs, as they can be substantial, often amounting to a thousand euros or more for a professional moving service.

The Mandatory 'Verhuiskostenvergoeding'

There is one very important exception to this rule where the landlord is legally required to pay the tenant's moving costs. This is the verhuiskostenvergoeding (moving cost allowance). A tenant is legally entitled to this fixed, mandatory allowance if they are forced to move (either temporarily or permanently) because the landlord needs to perform urgent works (dringende werkzaamheden) or renovation (renovatie) that cannot be done while the tenant is living in the property. This also applies if the property is scheduled for demolition (sloop). The law recognizes that this is an involuntary move forced upon the tenant, and the allowance is intended to compensate for the cost and disruption. The amount of this allowance is a minimum set by the government and is indexed annually. As of 2025, this minimum is over €7,000.

A Crucial Tenant Right

This mandatory moving allowance is a crucial tenant right that many are unaware of. A landlord cannot simply ask you to leave for a renovation without providing this compensation. The requirement to move must be for a genuine, necessary, and large-scale project. It does not apply to regular maintenance that can be performed while the tenant is in residence. If a landlord is planning a major renovation and offers you a lower amount or tries to avoid paying the allowance, you should refuse and seek immediate legal advice from the Woonbond or the Jurisch Loket. This right ensures that tenants are not unfairly burdened with the costs of a landlord's major construction projects.