Terug naar Encyclopedie
Huurrecht

Housing Corporation Complaints Committee Utrecht: your right to a complaints procedure

Discover how the housing corporation complaints committee in Utrecht resolves your dispute with the landlord: steps, laws, and examples for tenants.

2 min leestijd

Housing Corporation Complaints Committee Utrecht: how to submit your complaint about your landlord

A housing corporation complaints committee in Utrecht is an independent body that assists tenants in the region with disputes with their housing corporation or social landlord. Whether you have issues with poor maintenance, unreasonable rent increases, or poor service, the committee provides a solution. They mediate and can make binding decisions, depending on the case.

Why a housing corporation complaints committee in Utrecht?

Many tenants in Utrecht do not know that housing corporations such as Portaal or Haag Wonen have a mandatory complaints procedure. This procedure resolves disputes fairly. The committee assists with:

  • No response from your landlord to reports.
  • Unjustly rejected complaints.
  • Binding ruling without going directly to the court in Utrecht.
  • Conflicts over maintenance, rent, or service in Utrecht properties.

The committee is independent and consists of experts in tenancy law and mediation, specifically for the Utrecht market.

Legal basis for Utrecht

Although not always mandatory, Utrecht housing corporations have a complaints procedure, based on the General Administrative Law Act (Awb) and Good Landlordship Act. Key laws:

  • Article 7:10 Awb: Procedure for complaints at housing corporations.
  • Article 7:11 Awb: Right to object to landlord decisions.
  • Good Landlordship Act, art. 4.82 et seq. BW: Rules for maintenance and tenancy rights in Utrecht.

Check the tenancy agreement or website of your Utrecht housing corporation for their procedure. In case of escalation: District Court Midden-Nederland, Vrouwe Justitiaplein 1, Utrecht. Free advice: Juridisch Loket Utrecht, Catharijnesingel 55.

How does it work in Utrecht?

Step-by-step process at Utrecht housing corporations:

  1. Submit to landlord: File complaint in writing via email, letter, or online form. Response within 4 weeks.
  2. Objection to committee: If dissatisfied, file written objection with substantiation.
  3. Investigation: Committee hears parties, often via hearing in Utrecht. Focus on mediation.
  4. Ruling: Binding or advisory, depending on the procedure.

Variations per housing corporation, but standardized in Utrecht.

Examples of complaints Utrecht

Practical examples from Utrecht rental properties:

Type of complaint Example Solution via committee
Maintenance Leakage in Utrecht apartment block, landlord ignores reports. Obligation to repair within deadline.
Rent increase Unreasonable increase without inflation adjustment. Assessment of legality and adjustment.
Service Poor communication about nuisance in neighborhood. Mediation or action plan.

In Utrecht, you can also consult Huurteam Utrecht for additional support.