Unjustified Key Money in Rental Agreements in Westland
Discover when key money in rentals in Westland is unjustified and how to get it back via the Rent Tribunal. Practical steps, local examples, and tips for Westland tenants.
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Arslan AdvocatenLegal Editorial
2 min leestijd
Unjustified key money in rental agreements in Westland occurs more frequently than you might think, especially in greenhouse complexes and allotment gardens where tenants often move. As a tenant, you sometimes pay an amount for the transfer of keys, but this may not simply be charged as extra rent or deposit. According to the Civil Code Book 7, Title 4, every payment must be transparent and reasonable. In Westland, with its dynamic housing market around Naaldwijk and Monster, this is often seen with private landlords. When is key money unjustified? For example, if the landlord has already included key costs in the rent price, or if the amount is disproportionately high compared to the actual costs (maximum €100 according to guidelines).
Step 1: Check your rental agreement for specific mentions, pay attention to local clauses about garden or greenhouse keys. Step 2: Request a specification of costs from your landlord in Westland. Step 3: File a complaint with the Rent Tribunal if the landlord does not respond; the tribunal handles cases from the Delft and Westland region efficiently. Practical example: A tenant in 's-Gravenzande paid €250 key money for a property near the glasshouse areas, but got €200 back after the tribunal's intervention, because only €50 were actual costs.
Legal tip: Keep all receipts and correspondence, including WhatsApp messages with estate agents from Poeldijk. In case of non-compliance, you can go to the district court in The Hague for repayment plus interest. This way, you effectively protect your rights in the Westland rental market.