Permitted and Non-Permitted Service Charges in Zoetermeer
Which service charges may the landlord pass on in Zoetermeer? Discover permitted and prohibited items according to Article 7:232 of the Dutch Civil Code, with local tips for apartments in Stadshart and Seghwaert.
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Arslan AdvocatenLegal Editorial
2 min leestijd
In Zoetermeer, not all costs may be passed on to tenants as service charges, especially not in the many modern apartment complexes around Stadshart and Buytenweert. Permitted items include cleaning of stairwells, lift maintenance in apartments on Oostwaalweg, insurance for common areas such as parking garages, and garden maintenance in green neighbourhoods like Seghwaert. According to Article 7:232 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), these costs must be reasonable and actually incurred, with invoices as proof. Non-permitted costs include replacement costs for major repairs, such as a new central heating boiler in your rental property, costs specific to the dwelling itself (not shared parts), mark-ups for profit, and charges for unused facilities such as a swimming pool that does not exist in Zoetermeer. The Supreme Court has ruled that landlords may not pass on costs that they bear themselves. Local tenants in Zoetermeer often report problems with settlements from Owners' Associations (VvE's) in complexes such as De Fluiter or Rokkeveenseweg; check your contract for precise descriptions. In case of doubt: demand a specification with invoices from local suppliers. Excessive costs can lead to repayment via the Rent Tribunal in The Hague, close to Zoetermeer. Discussions often revolve around 'reserves' for future maintenance, such as roof repairs in older apartments; these are only permitted if contractually stipulated. The Zoetermeer Tenants' Interests Association recommends annual checks, especially with rising service charges due to local inflation. In VvE decisions, only actual expenditures count; be alert to double advances via the landlord and VvE. In Zoetermeer, with its tight rental market, this prevents unnecessary expenses and maintains a fair landlord-tenant relationship. (278 words)