Amsterdam fines student housing manager €45,000 for violating tenant rights
Over 350 students in Amsterdam Zuidoost face unfair rental practices, including excessive deposits and unclear service costs. The municipality has fined the complex manager €45,000, with penalties rising to €530,000 if violations persist. Tenants are urged to know their rights under the Good Landlord Law.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Fine Imposed | €45,000 (max. €530,000 if violations continue) |
| Number of Affected Tenants | Over 350 students |
| Location | Student complex in Amsterdam Zuidoost |
| Violations | Excessive deposit, late refunds, unclear service costs, lack of info |
| Deposit Limit | Max. 2x base rent (since July 1, 2023) |
| Refund Deadline | Within 14 days (or 30 days if damage exists) |
| Good Landlord Law | Introduced in 2023 to protect tenants from abuse |
| Support for Tenants | Stichting !WOON assists with reclaiming overpaid costs |
The Municipality of Amsterdam enforces the Good Landlord Law to ensure fair rental practices and protect tenants from exploitation. As a local authority, it investigates complaints, imposes fines, and collaborates with tenant support organizations like !WOON to uphold housing rights.
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Read the full translated article below
Municipality intervenes in rental of student complex in Zuidoost
Amsterdam has imposed several fines with a penalty payment on the manager of a large student complex in Amsterdam Zuidoost. The total amount is €45,000.
The manager rents out over 350 studios to students but does not comply with the rules of the Good Landlord Law. If the manager does not rectify the violations, the amount can increase to a maximum of €530,000.
Tenants must be treated fairly
Deputy Mayor Zita Pels (Housing): "It is important that everyone can live comfortably and safely. Most landlords fortunately adhere to the rules. But if they do not, we will take action. Tenants should not be financially disadvantaged by unclear rules or excessive costs."
Investigation after reports
Since the introduction of the Good Landlord Law in 2023, landlords must adhere to clear rules that protect tenants from abuse. After reports from tenants, we as a municipality conducted an investigation at the student complex. This revealed that the manager violated the law on several points.
What went wrong
- Excessive and late refunded depositThe manager requested a higher deposit than allowed. Since July 1, 2023, a deposit may be a maximum of two times the base rent. The deposit was also often refunded too late. According to the rules, this should be within 14 days, or within 30 days if there is damage.
- Unclear service costsLandlords must provide an overview of the actual service costs each year. This did not happen. It also turned out that costs were sometimes too high or that charges were made for services not provided.
- Tenants not properly informedAccording to the law, landlords must inform tenants in writing about their rights and where they can turn in case of problems. The manager has not done this.
Intimidation
There were also reports of intimidation by the manager. We take such signals seriously. In this case, however, there was not enough evidence to take enforcement action. We advise tenants to collect as much evidence as possible in case of intimidation, for example emails or audio recordings.
Collaboration with !WOON
In such situations, we work together with Stichting !WOON. As a municipality, we oversee compliance with the law. !WOON informs and supports tenants with problems with their landlord. Together, we help tenants to assert their rights and possibly reclaim overpaid costs.
More information
For more information about the Good Landlord Law and the reporting point, visit the municipal website Check your rental rights
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