News item | 09-06-2022 | 15:15
The bill on good landlordship was submitted to the House of Representatives today. The bill gives municipalities more options to protect tenants against abuses when renting out housing or accommodation. By introducing a standard for good landlordship and giving municipalities the option to require a rental permit, municipalities can actively steer towards good landlordship. For example, municipalities can impose additional requirements on the landlord when it comes to the maintenance of the home and the maximum rent for regulated rental homes.
Minister De Jonge: ‘We see that the position of home seekers and tenants is weak due to the shortage of homes. People have to deal with too high rents, overdue maintenance, but also intimidation and discrimination. Everyone has the right to a decent and affordable home, we must protect people against landlords who do not want the best for their tenants. That is why the cabinet wants to put an end to the abuses with this bill by giving municipalities more options to take tougher action.’
General rules of good landlordship
There will be a national basic standard for good landlordship in the form of general rules. This standard relates to the behavior that can be expected from good landlords and rental agents in relation to home seekers and tenants. The general rules apply to the entire rental process and to both the regular rental of accommodation and the rental of accommodation to migrant workers. These rules ensure the prevention and countering of discrimination and intimidation, the obligation to put the lease in writing and the obligation to inform the tenant about certain matters, for example about the rights and obligations of the tenant with regard to the leased property. In addition, a ban has been included for rental agents to charge double brokerage costs.
Permit for regular rental of living space
In addition to the general rules, municipalities can set up a rental permit. It appears that landlords in certain areas abuse the socio-economically vulnerable position of tenants. This manifests itself in matters such as excessive rents, overdue maintenance, overcrowding, degradation, discrimination and intimidation. This bill gives municipalities the power to impose additional requirements on landlords in these already vulnerable neighborhoods in relation to maintenance and, in the case of regulated rental properties, the maximum rent of a home.
Enforcement and reporting point
Municipalities are responsible for supervising and enforcing the general rules and the rental permit. For this, they are given the administrative instruments of warning, administrative coercion, administrative fine and, as an ultimum remedium, the management takeover at their disposal. This can be deployed via an escalation ladder. Municipalities must also set up a reporting point where reports of undesirable rental behavior can be made anonymously and free of charge.