Deposit for Rental Land in Amsterdam: Rules and Advice
In Amsterdam, a deposit for rental land (such as a parking space, garden plot or caravan pitch) is a commonly requested means for landlords to cover themselves against damage or non-payment. Discover in this article the specific rules for Amsterdam, your rights and how to recover the deposit. Contact Amsterdam District Court (Parnassusweg 220) or Amsterdam Legal Aid Office (Vijzelstraat 77) for personal advice.
What does a deposit for rental land in Amsterdam entail?
A deposit is a security amount that you as tenant pay before the start of the lease of land. This applies to non-residential properties such as parking spaces in the city, allotment gardens in the Western Harbour Area or caravan pitches along the ring road. Unlike residential tenancy, it protects the landlord against repair costs, outstanding bills or wear and tear.
In Amsterdam, where land is scarce, landlords often request a deposit due to high pressure on locations such as IJburg or the polders. Unlike the Tenancy Act for Residential Premises (Wgh) for houses, more lenient Civil Code (BW) rules apply here.
Statutory rules for Amsterdam
There is no special law as for residential properties, but the Civil Code (Book 7) applies in full:
- Art. 7:912 CC: Deposit must be proportional; landlords in Amsterdam must substantiate risks, e.g. for vulnerable city gardens.
- Art. 7:913 CC: The money must be kept separate and may only be used for tenancy-related claims.
- Art. 7:914 CC: Repayment within a reasonable period after termination, unless proven damage (evidence via photos or inspection).
Local Amsterdam case law from the Amsterdam District Court emphasizes transparency: record everything in the contract and make a joint condition report at entry and exit.
Differences with residential tenancy in Amsterdam
For Amsterdam residential tenancy:
- Max. 2 months' rent (art. 7:100 Wgh).
- Repayment within 6 weeks (art. 7:101 Wgh).
- Mandatory blocked account.
For land lease, this is more flexible: no maximum, but courts test for reasonableness. In Amsterdam cases, the district court judge often ruled that 1-2 months' rent is fine for a parking space.
Reasonable amount of the deposit in Amsterdam
Depending on the location and risk:
- Parking garage or street space: €150-€400.
- Allotment garden or roof terrace: €400-€1500, especially with structures such as sheds.
- Caravan or boat pitch: €800-€2500, due to environmental rules at the IJmeer.
- Proportional to rent: 1-3 months as benchmark; higher must be justified.
How do you get your deposit back in Amsterdam?
1. At departure, prepare an inspection report with the landlord.
2. Pay all outstanding items.
3. Request repayment in writing (keep a copy).
4. No response within 4 weeks? Go to Amsterdam Legal Aid Office or Amsterdam District Court, Parnassusweg 220.
Tip: photograph the land at the start and end. In case of dispute, you can proceed via the Rent Tribunal (for related matters) or district court judge.