What Are Service Charges?
Service charges are additional costs on top of the basic rent for supplementary services and facilities. This includes expenses for heating, water, cleaning of shared spaces or maintenance. Landlords in Utrecht are required to provide an overview of these costs each year.
Overview of Service Charges
| Type of Costs | Description | Settlement Method |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Costs | Costs for heating and hot water | Based on usage |
| Water Consumption | Costs for water | Based on usage |
| Common Electricity | Lighting in shared spaces such as stairwells | Divided among tenants |
| Cleaning Costs | Maintenance of common areas | Equal distribution |
| Janitor Services | Costs for a janitor | Equal distribution |
Annual Specification of Costs
The landlord in Utrecht is required to:
- Provide a detailed overview each year
- Do this within an acceptable period after the financial year
- Clearly indicate what you paid as an advance and what the actual costs were
- Refund any overpaid amounts
Inspection and Objection in Utrecht
Checking the Settlement
You have the right to inspect the underlying documents:
- Ask the landlord for access to the documents
- Assess whether the costs are justified
- Check whether the distribution is fair
- In case of disagreement: go to the Rent Tribunal in Utrecht
Final Settlement upon Termination of Tenancy
Upon vacating the property:
- The landlord prepares a final settlement
- This may occur a few months after departure, often after the end of the financial year
- A refund or additional payment may follow
- Sometimes this is settled against the deposit
Costs That May Not Be Charged as Service Charges
Some costs may not be passed on by a landlord as service charges:
- Costs for major maintenance of the property
- Landlord's management costs
- Taxes on real estate
- Financial burdens such as interest or depreciation
Will I get money back for lower consumption?
Yes, if your actual consumption is below the advance paid, you will receive the difference back.
What if no settlement is provided?
Send a written reminder to the landlord. If there is no response, you can contact the Rent Tribunal in Utrecht.
Can the landlord demand unlimited additional payment?
No, an additional payment must be within reasonable limits. In case of unreasonable increases, you can object.
Help and Support in Utrecht
For legal questions about service charges, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Utrecht at Catharijnesingel 55. In addition, the Rechtbank Midden-Nederland, located at Vrouwe Justitiaplein 1, handles cases that escalate to a legal dispute.