Special rules for room rental in Utrecht
In Utrecht, with its vibrant student areas such as the Lombok and Kanaleneiland neighborhoods, room rental with multiple tenants is commonplace. The deposit is often a single amount for the entire property. Article 7:249 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code obliges the landlord to properly manage and divide the security deposit upon departure of individual tenants, which frequently comes before the courts in Utrecht rental disputes.
Division method in Utrecht context
- Proportional: Divide based on rental period, room size or rent price, taking into account Utrecht municipal guidelines for fair housing.
- Attribute damage: Only to the responsible tenant, with evidence such as inspection reports that are customary among Utrecht landlords.
- Collective pot: In case of a joint tenancy agreement, divide pro rata, particularly relevant for popular Utrecht student housing.
Practical procedure for Utrecht
1. Document individual contributions explicitly in the tenancy agreement, in accordance with advice from the Utrecht Tenants' Interests Association. 2. Conduct a check-out per tenant with a shared checklist, ideal in the busy Utrecht housing market. 3. Pay out with agreement of remaining tenants to prevent future claims, and consult the Juridisch Loket Utrecht if necessary.
Statutory obligations in Utrecht
Landlords must maintain an interest-bearing account for the deposit (Article 7:249 paragraph 3 Dutch Civil Code). In case of mismanagement, one risks fines from the Rent Tribunal, which handles many cases in Utrecht. Tenants can act jointly against unlawful deductions, supported by local initiatives such as the Utrecht Woonpunt.