Special rules for room rental in Delft
In Delft, with its vibrant student population around TU Delft and historic city center, room rental with multiple tenants is commonplace. The deposit is often a single amount for the entire property. Article 7:249 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code obliges the landlord to properly manage and divide the security deposit upon departure of individual tenants, which is particularly relevant in Delft student houses due to changing occupancy.
Division method in Delft context
- Proportional: Divide based on rental period, room size or contribution to utilities, suitable for the compact Delft properties.
- Attribute damage: Only to the responsible tenant, such as damage to typical Delft canal houses.
- Collective pot: In case of joint tenancy agreement, divide pro rata, taking into account local rent committee advice.
Practical procedure for Delft
1. Document individual contributions in the tenancy agreement, including reference to Delft tenants' association guidelines. 2. Conduct a check-out per tenant with a shared checklist, ideally with inspection by the municipality of Delft. 3. Pay out with agreement of remaining tenants to prevent future claims, especially given the high demand for rooms in Delft.
Legal obligations in Delft
Landlords must maintain an interest-bearing account for the deposit (Article 7:249 paragraph 3 Dutch Civil Code). In case of mismanagement, you risk fines from the Rent Committee or the municipality of Delft. Tenants can act jointly against unlawful deductions, supported by local student unions such as that of TU Delft.