Maintenance Obligations of Housing Associations for Social Rental Housing in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, housing associations such as Ymere, De Key, and Rochdale are required to maintain social rental properties in good condition, particularly in districts like Bijlmer, West, or Oud-West. Minor repairs (up to €250) are the responsibility of the tenant, but housing associations are responsible for major maintenance, including roofs, piping, painting, and façades—critical in Amsterdam’s older housing stock. Always report defects in writing via the housing association’s online reporting system or the City Desk; the response time is a maximum of 14 days as per the Amsterdam Housing Ordinance. If obligations are not met, you may enforce a rent reduction through the Rent Tribunal, which can reach up to 100% in cases of uninhabitability. The Good Landlordship Act obligates housing associations to carry out systematic maintenance, with additional focus on Amsterdam’s housing shortage and the goal of maintaining livable social rental housing. Gather evidence with photographs, independent inspections, and reports from the Municipal Housing Agency or independent experts. This aligns with the local policy on appropriate allocation, where defects may render a property unsuitable for allocation in Amsterdam.