Permissible and Prohibited Service Charges in Utrecht

In Utrecht, not all costs may be charged to tenants as service charges, particularly in popular neighbourhoods such as Kanaleneiland or the Oudwijk district. Permissible items include the cleaning of communal areas such as canal paths, lift maintenance in apartment buildings around the Neude, building insurance, and waste disposal via the Utrecht waste management service. Prohibited items remain personal expenses, such as individual internet connections, replacement of tenant-specific appliances, or commercial advertising in local newspapers like the Utrechts Nieuwsblad. According to Article 7:257 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), service charges must be reasonable and in line with market rates, without any profit margin for the landlord—a rule strictly enforced by the Utrecht Rent Team. Tenants do not bear costs for structural major maintenance, such as renovations to historic buildings along the Oudegracht, which are entirely the landlord's responsibility. Invoices must be demonstrable and traceable to the rented property, with special attention to owners' associations (VvE) complexes in the Lombok district, where deeds of division impose additional requirements on cost allocation. Verify that costs are correctly apportioned based on consumption, surface area, or the rental agreement, taking into account Utrecht municipal rates for green space management. Unlawful items can be refused and removed; the Rent Tribunal in Utrecht may impose fines for repeated violations, sometimes in cooperation with the municipality. As a tenant in Utrecht: always request detailed specifications, compare with local market prices via platforms such as WoningNet, and consult the Legal Counter on Potterstraat. This article helps Utrecht tenants distinguish between legitimate and unlawful charges, ensuring you do not unnecessarily pay for unjustified items.