Deposit in Purchase Agreements in Zoetermeer

In the purchase of a house in Zoetermeer, the deposit serves as a down payment to guarantee the purchase agreement (Article 7:28 of the Dutch Civil Code). In this growing city near The Hague, the standard deposit is 10% of the purchase price, which must be paid within 14 days of signing and deposited with a notary in Zoetermeer or the surrounding area, such as at Notariskantoor Zoetermeer. The purpose is to provide coverage in case of dissolution due to financing issues or hidden defects, which is particularly relevant in Zoetermeer’s dynamic housing market with many new construction projects in districts like Oosterheem or Rokkeveen. If the buyer fails to comply, the deposit is forfeited to the seller, unless the seller is in breach of contract. The notarial escrow arrangement offers protection for both parties. In the event of resolutive conditions, such as obtaining a mortgage through local banks like Rabobank Zoetermeer, the deposit is refunded. Specific to Zoetermeer: pay attention to the municipality’s strict requirements for structural surveys in green suburbs. Advice: always review the resolutive conditions, have a valuation conducted by a certified agency in the region, and consult the Legal Aid Council in Zoetermeer or the subdistrict court in The Hague in case of disputes.