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Glossary

Landlord Duties & Legal Responsibilities

Landlords in the Netherlands must follow strict regulations to ensure fair treatment and safe housing. From timely repairs to handling deposits correctly, these rules protect tenants and keep properties compliant. We cover the key landlord obligations so you know what to expect and when to speak up.

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Showing 1–24 of 39 rental terms

Rental Permit

A permit that a landlord must obtain from some municipalities to be legally allowed to rent out a property.

Landlord Obligations

Service Subscription

A voluntary contract, usually with a housing corporation, where a tenant pays a monthly fee for the landlord to handle minor repairs.

Landlord Obligations

Building Insurance

An insurance policy that covers the physical structure of the property, which is the landlord's responsibility.

Landlord Obligations

Maintenance Company

A third-party firm hired by a landlord or property manager to handle repairs and upkeep of a rental property.

Landlord Obligations

Handover Report

The final inspection document created at the end of a tenancy to assess the property's condition upon the tenant's departure.

Landlord Obligations

Environmental Hazard Remediation

A landlord's legal obligation to fix serious health and safety issues like asbestos or mold at their own expense.

Landlord Obligations

Types of Landlords

Understanding whether your landlord is a private individual or a large corporation will dramatically shape your entire rental experience.

Landlord Obligations

Tourist Tax

A municipal tax levied on non-resident overnight stays, which landlords are legally obligated to collect and remit.

Landlord Obligations

Short-Term Letting License

A mandatory municipal permit required to legally rent out a property for short periods, primarily aimed at tourists.

Landlord Obligations

Fire Safety Regulations

Dutch law mandates the installation of smoke detectors on every floor of a home and holds landlords responsible for the general fire safety of their properties.

Landlord Obligations

Landlord's Maintenance Duty

The landlord has a legal duty to fix major defects that are not the tenant's fault, while the tenant is responsible for minor, day-to-day repairs.

Landlord Obligations

Overcrowding Regulations

Overcrowding in the Netherlands is primarily regulated through municipal registration limits and specific permits for room rentals, rather than a national person-per-meter rule.

Landlord Obligations

Room Rental Regulations

Renting out individual rooms in a shared property is strictly regulated by Dutch municipalities, often requiring a specific permit to combat illegal housing situations and neighborhood nuisance.

Landlord Obligations

Good Landlordship Act

This 2023 law establishes nationwide rules to combat discrimination, intimidation, and excessive deposits in the Dutch rental market.

Landlord Obligations

Energy Performance Certificate

The Energielabel is a mandatory certificate that rates a property's energy efficiency from G to A++++, directly impacting its valuation and maximum legal rent.

Landlord Obligations

Security Deposit

The Waarborgsom is a security deposit paid by the tenant, which is now strictly regulated in the Netherlands to prevent landlords from unfairly withholding funds.

Landlord Obligations

Fines and Penalties for Landlords

The 'Good Landlordship Act' empowers municipalities to issue substantial administrative fines to landlords who violate key rental laws.

Landlord Obligations

Eviction Proceedings

A landlord in the Netherlands cannot self-evict a tenant; they must obtain a formal eviction judgment from a court, often through a summary proceeding for rent arrears.

Landlord Obligations

Urgent Repairs

Landlords are obligated to address urgent repairs immediately, though the law defines the timeline by reasonableness rather than a fixed number of hours.

Landlord Obligations

Fire Safety and Escape Routes

Dutch building codes mandate specific fire safety measures for all residences, including clear and accessible escape routes and mandatory smoke alarms.

Landlord Obligations