The Essential 'Berging'
Given the typically compact size of Dutch apartments, a private storage unit, known as a berging, is an essential part of a rental property. This is the space where tenants store items not needed for daily life: suitcases, winter clothes, tools, or archives. The status of this berging—whether it is an integral part of the apartment rental or a separate, optional extra—determines whether a tenant should be paying a specific fee for it. In the vast majority of cases, the storage unit is considered part of the primary rented property (het gehuurde), and its cost is incorporated into the basic rent, not itemized as a separate fee.
Scenario 1: The Included Storage Unit
This is the standard and most common arrangement. An apartment is rented along with a specific, designated storage unit, which is typically located in the building's basement, attic, or sometimes as a separate shed in a communal garden. Its legal status is that of an 'immovable appurtenance' to the dwelling. This means it is legally tied to the apartment, and its use is included in the kale huur (basic rent). In fact, for apartments in the regulated social housing sector, the square meters of the storage unit contribute points to the property's total value under the woningwaarderingsstelsel (WWS), influencing the maximum legal rent. In this scenario, a landlord cannot charge a separate 'storage unit fee'. It is part of the package. The specific unit number should be clearly identified in the rental agreement to avoid any disputes with neighbours.
Scenario 2: The Optional, Separately Rented Unit
While less common, it is possible for storage units to be rented out under separate contracts, especially in newer or repurposed buildings. In this case, a tenant might rent an apartment and then have the option to rent a storage unit in the same building if they need one. This would involve a separate rental agreement that is not governed by the protective laws for residential living space. Much like a separate contract for a parking space, this gives the landlord more flexibility to set and increase the rent for the storage unit. This scenario is more akin to renting a unit from a commercial self-storage company, but with the convenience of it being on-site. A tenant should be clear on which model applies to them. If the storage is optional and rented separately, there will be a clear, distinct monthly fee for it.
Common Issues and Tenant Vigilance
Regardless of the cost structure, tenants should thoroughly inspect the berging during the initial check-in. These spaces are often an afterthought in terms of maintenance and can suffer from problems like dampness, poor lighting, or inadequate security. A damp basement storage unit can quickly ruin stored belongings with mold and mildew. The quality of the lock on the door is also critical. Tenants should document the state of the storage unit in the check-in report (opleveringsrapport) just as they would with any room inside the apartment. If a specific, private berging is part of the deal, ensure it is for exclusive use and not a vaguely defined shared space (gemeenschappelijke berging), which offers far less security and utility.
