Interest on Deposit in Utrecht: Your Legal Right

In Utrecht, the landlord is legally required to pay interest on the deposit from the first day of the tenancy. Article 7:264 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) governs the statutory interest, which currently ranges from approximately 2% to 6%, depending on the year and the duration. This interest continues to accrue until the full repayment of the deposit. As a tenant in Utrecht, request an annual interest statement from your landlord to prevent the statute of limitations from expiring. In case of refusal, send a formal demand letter and keep all correspondence carefully. Many landlords in Utrecht, particularly in districts such as Kanaleneiland or Lombok, deposit the security amount in a blocked account with foundations such as Woonborg or the Utrecht Tenants' Interests Foundation. Verify this immediately when entering into your rental agreement through the Utrecht Municipal Housing Agency or your real estate agent. In the Utrecht region, it is common practice for housing corporations like Portaal or Mitros to do this as standard. In case of negligence, you can turn to the regional Rent Tribunal in Utrecht or the subdistrict court at CatharijneSingel. Local tips: consult the Legal Counter Utrecht for free advice and avoid disputes by documenting everything in writing. This way, you maximize your rights in the thriving Utrecht rental market.