Rights and Obligations of Tenant During Final Inspection in Amsterdam

As a tenant in Amsterdam, you have clear rights and obligations during the final inspection of your rental property, especially in a city with strict rental market rules via the Huurcommissie and local housing corporations such as Ymere or Duurzaam Wonen Amsterdam. You are obliged to return the property clean and in its original condition, deducting normal wear and tear such as light scratches on parquet floors due to daily use in canal houses or new-build apartments in IJburg. According to Civil Code Book 7 article 7:231 CC (Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 7 artikel 7:231 BW), you must inform the landlord in good time of your preference for the inspection date, taking into account Amsterdam's busy schedules. Be personally present at the inspection in neighbourhoods such as De Pijp or Oud-Zuid to demand the signing of a complete protocol; refuse to sign if it is incomplete, as often occurs with private landlords. Take your own photos and videos of the condition, including details such as window frames and gutters that are typically Amsterdam. You are entitled to a copy of the protocol and access to the initial record for comparison. In disputes over damage, such as damp spots in old buildings, you can submit a counter-expertise to the Huurcommissie. The landlord may not claim new defects that were absent from the initial protocol. After signing, a reflection period of seven days applies to note any amendments. Never pay for normal wear and tear; that legally falls under the landlord. In the event of non-performance, such as unjustified withholding of the deposit, demand compensation via the Amsterdam subdistrict court (kantonrechter). Document everything in writing, ideally with witness statements from the neighbourhood. A joint protocol prevents conflicts with the municipality's rental teams and accelerates the payout of your deposit in this competitive market. (278 words)