In Zoetermeer, with its many rental properties in districts such as Buytenweert and Seghwaert, the Rent Commission plays a crucial role in complex-wide renovations. Tenants in this rapidly growing city can unilaterally lodge objections against proposed rent increases or cost allocations in large-scale renovation projects. The Commission strictly assesses whether the renovation qualifies as 'complex-wide' and whether the financing complies with the required 70% landlord contribution, taking into account local real estate developments. In a recent case, inspired by ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2022:ABC and locally relevant for Zoetermeer complexes, a renovation plan was rejected because the cost estimate was insufficiently substantiated and tenants were not timely informed about the impact on their housing costs.
Tenants must demonstrate that the landlord failed in their duty to inform, such as not providing detailed budgets or organizing resident meetings in Zoetermeer. The procedure remains accessible and free of charge, with a maximum decision period of three months. If approved, the landlord may proceed, potentially with adjustments to the plan. Tenants in Zoetermeer are entitled to a fair hearing, including participation through local tenants' organizations. After a binding opinion, an appeal can be lodged with the subdistrict court in The Hague, which ensures fair procedures and protects against arbitrariness in the region. As a result, Zoetermeer tenants benefit from enhanced protection during renovations driven by the municipality's housing ambitions.