Service Charges in Temporary Rental Agreements in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, where temporary rental agreements are common due to the tight housing market (Article 7:259 of the Dutch Civil Code), service charges include utilities such as water and gas, cleaning of communal areas in canal houses, maintenance, and contributions to the Owners' Association (VvE). For temporary contracts, often used by expats in the city center or young professionals in Oost, these costs must be fully specified and charged as an advance, followed by an annual settlement based on actual expenses.
Transparency Obligation in the Amsterdam Context
Landlords in Amsterdam, including private landlords and housing corporations such as Ymere or De Key, are required to provide a detailed overview of expected service charges, taking into account the high urban rates for waste processing and green space management. Tenants have the right to inspect the administration, for example, via the landlord's digital portals. In cases of insufficient specification, a maximum of 80% may be charged as an advance to prevent abuse in popular neighborhoods such as De Pijp or the Jordaan.
Settlement and Dispute Resolution
Surpluses must be refunded to the tenant within six months. In case of deficits, the landlord may offset these against future rental payments. Disputes regarding service charges in Amsterdam are submitted to the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie); in cases of abuse, such as unreasonable pass-through of luxury amenities in new developments in the Zuidas district, the court may moderate the charges. Recent amendments as of 2023 prohibit 'all-in rents' without specification, specifically targeting the Amsterdam rental market to curb excesses.