A Tenants Responsibilities in The Netherlands

A Tenant’ s Responsibilities in The Netherlands

OBLIGATIONS OF A TENANT IN THEIR PROPERTY IN THE NETHERLANDS

Both the landlord and you, the tenant, are responsible for ensuring your rented accommodation is, and remains , in good condition. Both you and your landlord have responsibilities in terms of repairs and maintenance. You, the tenant, are personally responsible for the cleanliness, upkeep, and maintenance of your property. If you are unable to maintain the property’s cleanliness, then you should organise for a professional cleaning company to do this on your behalf, at your own expense. You are also expected to take care of small repairs and maintenance; the landlord will generally take care of other repairs and maintenance. These rules are mandatory in accordance with Dutch law. To enable the landlord to action their responsibilities, y ou are obliged to inform the landlord forthwith of any damage, defect, maintenance emergency or malfunction occurring or threatening to occur in or to the property. This must be in writing and evidence of such retained by you. Where this is not reported, you could be deemed liable for any resulting damage or loss. The following is a list of items regarded as Tenant responsibilities for cleaning and maintenance of the rented property, most especially at the end of your tenancy. Please read through your tenancy agreement to check for any special clauses relating to your obligations that might not be listed here :  The entire accommodation must be vacuumed, dusted, and cleaned. For wooden floors please make sure you use the right cleaning materials. Please note: Awooden floor can alter due to extreme weather conditions and warping can occur, i.e., the floor can expand and bulge. Keep the property aired as extreme or poor humidity can cause significant damage (this also applies for cork, laminate, shelves, and parquet flooring). Good humidity levels in the home are essential for the life of the wooden floor, as well as your own health.  Keep the property well-ventilated by opening the windows daily in the winter during colder periods to remove moisture from the air as damp air cause mould in the property. Five minutes each time should reduce damp build up.  All scheduled maintenance must be completed, especially the central heating / boiler systems, gas furnace and water softener systems.  Protecting water pipes during cold weather - when the temperature drops below zero, it can cause water pipes to freeze. When they thaw cracks can occur, resulting in expensive repairs and a disrupted water supply. Leaving heating on for longer periods at lower settings, even while away allows warm air to circulate, and will help prevent pipes and tanks from freezing in the cold weather.  Keeping clean and, if necessary, unblocking the interior sewerage up to the connection point of the rented accommodation onto the municipal sewerage or the main sewerage system, if the sewerage system is accessible for the tenant.

 Cleaning / unblocking gutters and vents.

 Keeping clean and, if necessary, unblocking the refuse chute and keeping clean the bin area, if these facilities are accessible.

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January 2024

 Pest control where the presence of the pest is not as a result of the constructional state of the rented accommodation.

 All windows must be cleaned, inside and, where possible, the outside also.

 Interior window frames and ledges must be wiped clean throughout the property.

 Ceilings and walls should be cobweb free.

 All furniture should be placed in their original position.

 All washable walls should be washed down and left dust, dirt, and stain free.

 Skirting boards to be washed over and dust free.

 Any net curtains are to be laundered and re-hung; other curtains to be professionally cleaned and re-hung.

 Carpets to be professionally cleaned and vacuumed.

 If there are any light bulbs or fuses not working, you are responsible for replacing them.

 Touch up any walls that have been marked during the tenancy using matching paint. Fill any holes in the walls such as picture hooks (unless your landlord / agent has given you prior permission, in writing, to hang pictures, etc.)

 All wooden furniture is to be dust free and polished where required.

 The cooker must be cleaned thoroughly with oven cleaner. The shelves in the oven, the glass door, grill pan, and oven trays should also be cleaned, and the extractor hood filter changed (if applicable).

 The microwave, where applicable, to be cleaned inside and out.

 Refrigerators and freezers should be defrosted and wiped out. The door must be left open, and the appliance switched off.  The bath, WC, shower screens, tiles, bidet, hand basins and kitchen sinks must be cleaned and where necessary, any lime scale deposits and / or mould removed.

 If the accommodation is furnished, pillow protectors, bed and bath linen should be washed and ironed.

 All cupboards and drawers must be cleaned inside and out, particularly in the kitchen.

 The garage, where applicable, should be swept out.

 The garden, where applicable, should be left in a neat and tidy condition with borders recently dug and lawns cut. Shrubs should be pruned as appropriate, all weeds should be removed from beds, patios etc. Where pets have been allowed in the property, any animal excrement must be removed.

 If you have kept a pet at your accommodation, thorough cleaning of furniture and carpets is required.

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January 2024

 Refer to your rental agreement to see if a chemical cleaning (at your cost) is a prerequisite responsibility.

 The balcony, where applicable, must be cleaned and maintained.

 The washing machine soap dispenser must be washed, and the filter cleaned, where applicable.

 Vacuum cleaner bags are to be emptied and filters cleaned.

 All rubbish / food must be removed from the property / garden and placed in the dustbin provided.

 All furniture (and other items) not provided by the landlord must be removed from the property before the final check-out date.  All keys must be returned at the time and date of the booked check-out meeting. If you have lost any keys during the tenancy, make sure you arrange for new keys to be cut as you must return the same number of keys that were provided at the start of your tenancy else you will be charged. END OF TENANCY DAMAGE / WEAR AND TEAR During the check-in of your property , an inspection report would have been created. At the end of your tenancy, this report is used to determine what is wear and tear, and what is damage. During the check-out, a second inspection report will be created, and the two reports will be compared with one another to identify what is considered wear and tear, and what is considered damage. Wear and tear is deterioration from the initial situation over a longer period of time. Damage can be due to negligence, an accident, on purpose, or otherwise. Damage is a more sudden deterioration from the starting point caused by the tenant, whether willingly or unwillingly. The owner is responsible for paying wear and tear. You are responsible to pay for any damages caused by negligence, improper use or damage caused by pets. It is very important to thoroughly review your responsibilities as a tenant , which may include some of the important points noted above. Your responsibilities will be outlined in your lease document and tenant information provided to you by your landlord/agent/broker. Sh ould you have any questions or concerns about your responsibilities please discuss these with your landlord at the beginning of your tenancy.

© Dwellworks, LLC.

January 2024

© Dwellworks, LLC.

January 2024