Rental Costs

Service Apartment Fee

Service-appartement tarief

A 'service apartment fee' is not a separate charge but is part of a high, all-inclusive rental price for a fully furnished apartment with hotel-like services.

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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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More Than Just Rent: An All-Inclusive Price

A 'serviced apartment' is a specific type of rental, typically aimed at the corporate and expatriate market, that offers a living experience closer to a hotel than a traditional apartment. The 'service apartment fee' is not a single, itemized charge, but rather refers to the all-encompassing nature of the rent. These properties are rented at a high, all-inclusive (all-in) monthly price. This price bundles the basic rent with a wide range of services and utilities, offering a 'turn-key' solution for temporary residents. The single monthly payment is designed for convenience and typically covers not just the apartment itself, but all associated costs.

What the 'Fee' Typically Includes

The services bundled into the all-inclusive rent of a serviced apartment almost always include: Full Furnishing (Volledige Meubilering): The apartment is fully furnished, including all furniture, kitchenware, and linens. Utilities: Gas, water, and electricity are included. Internet and TV: A high-speed Wi-Fi and television package is part of the deal. Regular Cleaning: The apartment is cleaned on a regular basis, often weekly, including a change of bed linen and towels. The price reflects this high level of convenience and service, and is therefore significantly higher than a standard apartment where the tenant arranges and pays for all these things separately.

Lack of Transparency and the Law

The skeptical tenant should be aware that true 'all-in' rental contracts are viewed unfavorably by Dutch law because they lack transparency. It is impossible for the tenant to know what portion of the fee is for basic rent versus what is for utilities or other services. This makes it impossible to check if the utility charges are reasonable or to apply for huurtoeslag (rent allowance). For rental contracts that fall under the rules of the regulated sector, a tenant can go to the Huurcommissie (Rent Tribunal) to force the landlord to split the all-in price into its separate components (kale huur and servicekosten). However, most serviced apartments are priced well into the free sector (vrije sector), where tenants have fewer rights to challenge the price structure. For short-term corporate stays, this convenience is often prized, but for longer-term tenants, a traditional rental structure offers greater transparency and control over costs.