Permissible Service Charges According to Rental Legislation in Westland

In Westland, with its glasshouse horticulture and residential areas in places such as Naaldwijk, Monster, and Kwintsheul, not all costs may be passed on to tenants as service charges. According to the Rental Act (Article 7:257 of the Dutch Civil Code), these must be reasonable and market-conform, taking into account the local housing market. Permitted are advances for maintenance of greenhouse complexes, cleaning of stairwells, lifts, and garden maintenance in apartment buildings. Prohibited remain income replacement costs such as vacancy or non-payment for Westland landlords. Energy costs for common areas in apartment buildings are permitted, but not for individual meters in rental properties. Insurance premiums only if they are specifically landlord-related, for example, for local risks such as storm damage to greenhouses. Management costs in Westland may constitute a maximum of 15-20% of the total service charges, depending on the size of the complex, such as in larger residential towers in Poeldijk. The settlement must be detailed per category with invoices, and tenants bear no costs for structural maintenance that falls under major repairs according to the law. Check whether costs are fairly distributed among tenants in proportion to surface area or consumption, fitting for Westland rental complexes. In case of excess of the advance, the law requires repayment within six weeks. Unauthorized pass-through may lead to rent reduction via the Rent Tribunal, which tests against industry agreements and local standards. Always review the tenancy agreement: which costs are explicitly agreed for your Westland rental property? This way, you avoid disputes with landlords in this region and pay only what is lawful. (248 words)