Repairs & Small Maintenance for Tenants Netherlands
As a tenant in the Netherlands it is important to know who is responsible for maintenance and small repairs. This article explains in clear language when the landlord must make repairs, which small repairs are often the tenant's responsibility, and what steps you can take if a disagreement arises. You will find practical tips on written notifications, timeframes to request repairs, collecting evidence, and when to involve the Rent Tribunal or a court. The text uses examples common in Dutch rental homes and refers to official sources so you can read further and take action if necessary.
Wat valt onder onderhoud en kleine herstellingen?
Maintenance can range from structural repairs to small fixes such as a leaking tap or a broken light. The Civil Code Book 7 contains the basic rules on who is responsible for what; often the landlord is responsible for maintenance needed to keep the dwelling habitable, while smaller daily repairs can sometimes be the tenants responsibility [1].
Wie betaalt wat?
- Landlord: structural and technical repairs (repair).
- Tenant: small repairs such as light bulbs, batteries or minor painting, depending on the lease agreement (repair).
- For safety or health risks the landlord must act quickly; report this in writing immediately.
Wat te doen bij een probleem met onderhoud
First report the problem in writing to the landlord and give a reasonable time for repair. Record the date, content of the notification and any responses. If the landlord does not respond or refuses to repair, you can file a complaint with the Rent Tribunal or go to the subdistrict court depending on the dispute [2].
- Report in writing and keep a copy of the notification (form).
- Take photos and keep a log of defects and communications (evidence).
- If uncooperative, file a complaint with the Rent Tribunal or consider legal action (court).
Rechten en termijnen
There are no fixed universal timeframes for every repair; what is reasonable depends on the nature of the problem. Emergency and safety issues require prompt repair. For less urgent small repairs a period of a few weeks is usually reasonable, depending on the lease and circumstances. If the landlord does not act within a reasonable time, you can take steps and possibly recover costs if you carry out the repair yourself with prior written permission.
Veelgestelde vragen
- Does the landlord always have to pay for all repairs?
- Not always; the landlord is usually responsible for structural and necessary repairs, but small daily maintenance tasks may be the tenants responsibility according to the lease.
- What if the landlord does not respond to my repair request?
- Report in writing, keep evidence and consider a complaint to the Rent Tribunal or legal steps at the subdistrict court if the issue is not resolved.
- Can I have a repair done myself and reclaim the costs?
- Only with prior permission or in an emergency; always keep receipts and documentation to reclaim costs.
Stappenplan
- Document the problem: photos, date and description.
- Report it in writing to the landlord and give a reasonable timeframe for repair (form).
- Wait the stated timeframe and remind the landlord if there is no response.
- If there is no solution, you can involve the Rent Tribunal or consider legal action (court).
Belangrijke punten
- Keep all communication and evidence in a file.
- Always report issues in writing and set clear timeframes.
- For health or safety risks, insist on urgent repair.
Hulp en Ondersteuning / Bronnen
- Huurcommissie - Formulieren en informatie
- Wetten.overheid.nl - Boek 7 Huurrecht
- Government.nl - Huurder informatie en contact
