HomeEnglishRules for landlords and reporting complaints (Good Landlordship Act)
Rules for landlords and reporting complaints (Good Landlordship Act)
Private landlords and letting agents must comply with the Good Landlordship Act (WGV). For example, they must not overcharge for the deposit or charge unfair fees. They are also not allowed to discriminate or threaten people.
If a private landlord or letting agent does not abide by the rules, the tenant can report this to the municipality. The municipality can then issue a warning or fine. A letting agent is an agency that puts tenants in touch with private landlords, such as an estate agent.
These are the rules of the Good Landlordship Act:
Landlords must not discriminate against residents who are seeking accommodation.
Landlords must not threaten or scare tenants.
Landlords may ask for a deposit of no more than 2 months’ basic rent. Basic rent is the rent without any additional costs such as charges for service, gas, water, lighting or administration. A deposit is a sum of money that the tenant of a property has to pay to the landlord at the start of the rental contract.
Landlords must draw up a contract that contains everything. The contract must be signed by the landlord and the tenant.
Landlords must properly inform tenants about:
Your rights and obligations that are not in the rental contract.
The deposit and how this will be repaid when the contract ends.
How to reach the landlord.
Where you can report poor conduct by the landlord. For this, see also the 2 drop-downs below.
Letting agents must not charge tenants for mediation.
You can report the following to the municipality:
You think it is unfair that you are not getting a house, e.g. because of your religion, appearance, political views, heritage, gender, nationality, orientation, or because you are married.
Your landlord sends you intimidating messages or scares you in person.
Your landlord does not want to draw up a contract, or the contract has not been signed by the tenant and landlord.
Your landlord does not give you proper information in writing about:
Your rights and obligations.
The arrangements for any deposit.
The rules on service fees.
The manager’s contact details.
The contact details of the local reporting centre for reporting problems involving the landlord.
Your landlord asks for a deposit of more than 2 months’ basic rent.
Your landlord does not repay the deposit within 2 weeks of the contract ending.
Your landlord asks for even more money besides the rent and deposit, e.g. for help with finding a house.
Your landlord does not explain what the service fees are for.
You think the service fees are too high.
If you are renting a house from a housing association, you can let them know your complaint. They will handle it. You cannot file a report about it with the municipality.
If your complaint is about something other than the points above, e.g. about the level of the rent, a rent increase or poor maintenance, the usual rent protection applies. The municipality cannot help you with this. You will need to reach out to the Rent Tribunal(Externe link).
You can file a report by filling in this form(Externe link). This can also be done anonymously. On this form you can indicate who the landlord is and what problem you have. You can also add photos and files. If you have a question about this form, please send an email to wonen@wageningen.nl. You can also call us on: (0317) 49 29 11.
