Top 5
Here you will find our top 5 of frequently askes questions.
The points system determines the quality of a rental property based on points. The points system is also referred to as the property value system. Each component of the property, such as the surface area and facilities, receives points. The combined total dictates the maximum rental price. The point values are re-evaluated each year. During their visit, the Huurteam determines the maximum rental price for the room or property. Would you like the Huurteam to calculate the maximum amount of rent that you should be charged? Complete our appointment form and we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
No, this is not possible without valid cause. A landlord must always provide due notice and written notice of termination. If you do not agree with the termination, the landlord will need to appeal to the property courts for official termination. The landlord must provide a good reason for termination of the rental agreement.
Valid reasons are:
Deviant behaviour, serious improper use, a new rental agreement or a valid zoning plan. Note: other rules apply for subletting and temporary rentals.
If you have a temporary rental contract for a maximum of 2 years (private unit) or maximum 5 years (communal dwelling) and was this contract signed on or after 1 July 2016, the contract will automatically become permanent unless due notice of termination has been provided. As a tenant, you may terminate the contract at any point, provided you have given due notice of one month. If your landlord has terminated the contract incorrectly or too late, your rental contract will automatically become a permanent contract.
If your contract was signed before 1 July 2016, you do not have a temporary contract. Your rental agreement may not be terminated automatically.
If you have unjustly been charged mediation costs, you can request the firm or landlord return these charges to you. To do this, make use of this example letter.
If the mediator refuses to return the costs, you should initiate legal proceedings.
With a private unit, you usually have a period of 5 years to request return of the mediation costs; in some cases, you only have 3. After this period has lapsed, your claim to having these costs returned expires.
As of 1 July 2016, it is no longer permitted to charge tenants mediation costs for room rentals. Landlords of communal dwellings (room rental) are charged for the mediation costs for representation of both the landlord and the tenant.
The landlord has the right to increase the rent once per year by a certain percentage. This percentage is determined annually. More information about this percentage can be found via the website of the ‘Rijksoverheid’. In most cases the proposal to increase the rent of the landlord is not correct. Huurteam Utrecht can object on your behalf against the rent increase. Have you receive a rent increase proposal from the landlord? Let us check it!
The municipality of Utrecht has a strict policy against landlord who rent out properties without the necessary permits.
In Utrecht, a landlord needs a permit to rent rooms if more than 2 rooms are rented. If the landlord wants to divide a property into several apartments or studios, a landlord needs a special permit that allows him to divide the property.
As a tenant you may rely on the fact that a landlord has the required permit if he offers you a home.
It happens that the municipality carries out a check at your address and then it appears that the landlord does not have the required permit.
The municipality then notifies the landlord and demands that the illegal situation be remedied. The landlord is given a certain amount of time for this. If the illegal situation is not reversed before the specified date, the landlord must pay a fine to the municipality.
Practice shows that if a check has taken place the landlord will contact the tenants to persuade them to leave the house. This gives a stressful situation for many tenants.
However, it is not the case that if the municipality indicates that the illegal situation must be remedied that tenants are responsible for this and must therefore move out. The landlord is responsible for this situation.
If there is an illegal rental situation, please contact Huurteam Utrecht. We will advise you about your legal position and what options there are. As a tenant you are entitled to rent protection and you do not have to agree with the fact that the landlord indicates that you must leave your home.