In Zoetermeer, the Rent Commission independently handles rental disputes, with a focus on rent prices and defects (Article 7:251 of the Dutch Civil Code), but not urgent termination cases—these must be brought before the subdistrict court in The Hague. The Commission does, however, rule on maintenance deficiencies, which can heighten the urgency in Zoetermeer rental cases, such as leaks in flats around Zoetermeer Oost-centre or poorly maintained single-family homes in Rokkeveen.
Procedure: Free online application via [huurcommissie.nl](https://www.huurcommissie.nl), to be submitted within 3 months of notifying the landlord. Decisions are binding for rent adjustments but not for contract termination. Tenants in Zoetermeer frequently report issues such as damp problems in rental properties managed by housing corporations like Vidomes or Haag Wonen; landlords are given 4 weeks to respond. Local examples include excessive service charges for green maintenance in Seghwaert or overdue painting work in Buytenwegh. A ruling is issued within 6 weeks, with the option to appeal to the subdistrict court.
In 2023, the Commission handled 50,000 cases nationwide, many from the Haaglanden region, with 70% decided in favour of tenants. For urgent repairs, combine with Article 7:279 of the Dutch Civil Code to strengthen your case. The Rent Commission does not handle disputes involving room-by-room rented accommodation or urgency declarations via the Municipality of Zoetermeer.
Advantages: Low-threshold, no lawyer required, ideal for first-time tenants in Zoetermeer’s new-build properties.
Disadvantages: No direct enforcement.
Perfect for the pre-urgent phase in local rental conflicts.