Trash, Charges and Tenants in the Netherlands
As a tenant in the Netherlands, you may wonder who pays for waste collection and municipal charges. Some costs are in your rental contract, others are sent directly by the municipality to the address. Registration in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) can affect municipal assessments and who is considered responsible for certain fees. This article explains in plain language what waste charges and municipal taxes mean for tenants, what rights and obligations you have, and what steps you can take if you disagree with a bill. We also give practical guidance on gathering evidence and what to do before filing a formal complaint.
What this means for tenants
As a tenant you usually do not pay property tax (OZB) — that is linked to owners — but you may face waste disposal charges or sewer charges if these are sent directly to the rental address. Rules about service costs and which items may be charged to the tenant are in the Civil Code Book 7.[1] If it is unclear what is included in the rent, first check your rental agreement and ask for a written breakdown.
- Check your rental agreement for clauses on service costs and who pays (rent, payment).
- Keep receipts, photos and emails as proof of incurred costs (evidence).
- First contact the landlord or manager to ask for clarification and seek a solution (call, help).
When to seek help
If discussions with the landlord do not resolve the issue, you can consult the Rent Tribunal for advice and procedures regarding service cost disputes. The Rent Tribunal specifically handles rent and service cost issues and can issue binding decisions.[2]
- Submit a written request or complaint to the landlord before taking formal steps (file, submit).
- Gather a record of payments and correspondence as evidence (evidence).
- For significant amounts or complex problems, consider legal assistance or the cantonal court (court, hearing).
Waste, municipality and BRP
Municipalities set their own rules for waste collection and charges. Some municipalities charge a fixed rate per address, others work with a per-person system or a mix. Registration in the BRP often determines which address is considered your main residence and can affect who the municipality bills for certain charges.[3]
- Check that you are registered at the correct address in the BRP, as this can affect assessments (calendar, register).
- Verify whether waste costs are explicitly listed as service costs in your rent before paying (rent, fee).
- Ask the municipality for remission or a payment arrangement if you dispute the bill or cannot pay (support, assistance).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I pay waste disposal charges as a tenant?
- Not automatically; municipalities often send assessments to the address. Whether you must pay depends on your rental agreement and how the municipality issues assessments.
- Can the landlord charge me for waste costs?
- Yes, if this is contractually agreed as part of the service costs and those costs are reasonable and itemized.
- Does BRP registration affect municipal charges?
- Yes, BRP registration often determines which address is considered your main residence and can influence who receives assessments.
How-To
- Check your rental agreement and request an itemization of service costs (file, submit).
- Collect evidence: bills, photos of waste areas and communication with the landlord (evidence).
- Contact the landlord and the municipality to discuss discrepancies (call, help).
- File a complaint with the Rent Tribunal for service cost disputes or follow municipal objection procedures for tax assessments (file, form).
- As a last resort, consider the cantonal court or legal advice if the matter remains unresolved (court, hearing).
Help and support
- Rent Tribunal (help) - information and applications
- Wetten.nl (help) - Civil Code Book 7
- Government.nl (help) - municipal taxes and charges
