In Zoetermeer, a popular residential area for students and young professionals near The Hague and Rotterdam, specific deposit rules apply to room rentals or shared living in neighbourhoods such as Rokkeveen, Seghwaert or Buytenwegh to prevent abuse. The deposit may not exceed one month's rent (art. 7:232 CC), even with multiple housemates in a Zoetermeer terraced house. Each tenant pays separately, but the landlord manages one total sum. Specify in the contract which portion applies per room, taking into account local rental prices around €500-€700.
In case of damage, the landlord holds all tenants jointly and severally liable, but tenants settle this internally among themselves. Required: a joint inspection report upon move-in and move-out, with signatures of all residents. If this is missing, no deduction from the deposit is permitted. Local platforms such as Kamernet and Pararius, widely used in Zoetermeer, recommend depositing the deposit into an escrow account at a notary office in the Stadshart.
Upon early departure, the landlord must repay pro rata, minus demonstrable damage. Disputes are resolved via the Rent Tribunal in The Hague, with a focus on 'normal wear and tear' such as wear in busy student houses. Example: a stain on the carpet caused by one housemate in a Seghwaert room – only that person pays, not the entire group. Tenants can act collectively against unreasonable demands from landlords. The Good Landlordship Act (2023) obliges landlords in Zoetermeer to be transparent, supported by the municipality's rental policy. Tip: conclude a room rental agreement with a deposit clause using the model from the central government or the ROZ model, adapted to local Zoetermeer practices. (248 words)