As of July 1, 2023, the Good Landlord Act will go into effect!
This bill allows municipalities to adopt nationally set rules to promote good landlord-ism. Municipalities will also have the opportunity to introduce the rental permit. These steps have been taken to keep out rogue landlords.
The consultation report states that various parties have been involved with this bill, including the Woonbond, Aedes, VBO, NVM, Vastgoedbelang and VGM (Vastgoed Management Nederland). All parties agreed to create this law.
This report also talks about a "Letting Permit" as an addition to the general rules that form the basis of the Good Landlord Act. While most landlords exhibit the desired behavior and act as a good landlord, there is a small group of landlords who, despite the rules, misbehave. These landlords engage in malpractices such as excessive rent, overdue maintenance, too many residents in one location (condominiums), discrimination, the use of key money. By introducing the rental permit, a municipality can apply strict rules that a landlord must comply with. If this is not done, the rental permit can be revoked.
Although some things will need clarification, these are the basic rules:
- Avoiding discrimination; a transparent selection procedure must be used by the landlord or intermediary.
- Avoiding or preventing intimidation; it sounds more than logical but landlords or intermediaries should stay far away from intimidation. Examples include pressuring tenants with a temporary lease or refusing to perform maintenance on the property.
- Using a reasonable deposit; the deposit should not exceed 2 times the bare rent. In short; if the basic rent is € 1000,- a deposit of maximum € 2000,- may be requested.
- The rental agreements must be recorded in writing in a rental agreement; also to prevent subletting.
- There will be an information obligation; the landlord or intermediary must inform the tenant in writing about their rights and obligations. Much is already in the lease but for things that are not there, the tenant must be well informed. Consider the payment obligation of service charges, contact information of the municipality, etc.
- Limiting the service charges; service charges should not be an earning model, therefore the amount should be limited.
- Banning double mediation fees; this has long been the case but the municipality may enforce on this point.
Do you have questions about the law on good landlord and tenant management? Please contact us via nieuwsbrief@koopsmakelaardij.nl
