Deposit Refund upon Early Termination of Rental Agreement in Utrecht

In the event of early termination of a rental agreement in Utrecht, the standard regulations under **Article 7:271 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW)** apply. The landlord is obligated to refund the deposit within one month of termination, after deducting any outstanding claims such as damages or unpaid rent. In Utrecht, where the rental market is tight due to the popularity of neighborhoods like Kanaleneiland and Lombok, tenants must return the property clean and in good condition, preferably following a joint inspection. Use the standard **handover report** provided by the Dutch government or the **model report from the Municipality of Utrecht** for rental properties. If the tenant fails to meet their obligations, the landlord may withhold part of the deposit, but only with evidence such as photographs or an inspection report. Local **tenant support organizations** in Utrecht, such as **Huurteam Utrecht** or the **Legal Counter (Juridisch Loket) at Mariaplaats**, offer free mediation for deposit disputes. If the dispute escalates, you may take the matter to the **subdistrict court (kantonrechter) at the Midden-Nederland District Court in Utrecht**. Interest on an unrefunded deposit accrues from the assessment date following the handover. **Tip:** Consider taking out a **tenant insurance policy** through local providers like **Univé Utrecht** for additional protection against deposit disputes. Also, check the **Utrecht Housing Ordinance** for special rules regarding urgency declarations.