In Zoetermeer, where the rental market is under pressure due to its proximity to The Hague and Rotterdam, estate agents often charge key money in addition to mediation fees, leading to double charges. The Estate Agents Regulation (Dutch Estate Agents Act) mandates transparency in fee structures. As a tenant or buyer in Zoetermeer, you should not pay additional key money if it is already included in the agent's commission.
Identify double charges: Invoices without clear specifications or amounts exceeding €150, which is common in the Zoetermeer region. Action plan: Compare invoices with local rates via the Zoetermeer Tenants' Association and demand a recalculation. For rentals: Report to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate or the Municipality of Zoetermeer. For purchases: File a complaint with the NVM Complaints Committee or the local estate agents' association.
Case study: A family in Zoetermeer paid a total of €350 for a rental property in the Oosterheem district, of which €120 was purely key money. After filing a complaint through the municipality and NVM, they received €140 back. Legal basis: Unjust enrichment (Dutch Civil Code, Article 6:203). Document everything digitally, including correspondence with local estate agent offices such as those around Stadshart, and engage a lawyer to issue a formal demand. This way, you hold estate agents in Zoetermeer accountable and save money in the competitive housing market.