Authority of the Rent Commission in Delft
In Delft, the Rent Commission handles security deposit disputes specifically for social housing in districts such as Poptahof and Vrijenban, in accordance with Article 7:251 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW). Tenants in Delft can obtain free advice from the regional office in The Hague and receive binding decisions regarding the refund of the security deposit.
District Court Procedure in Delft
For private sector rental properties in the vibrant center of Delft or near the TU Delft, proceedings start with a summons at the District Court of The Hague, location Delft, including all evidence such as the rental agreement and damage reports. Costs: court fees €85. The district court judge can impose a penalty payment for non-compliance by the landlord, particularly relevant given the high rental pressure in Delft.
Protection Mechanisms for Tenants in Delft
- Interim relief: Expedited urgent procedure at the Delft district court for urgent refunds, ideal for student and starter housing.
- Interest: Statutory interest on late refunds (Article 6:119 BW), plus local advice available through the Legal Counter Delft.
- Penalty clause: Often included in rental agreements by Delft landlords such as SHRD or private owners for delays in security deposit refunds.
Statistics Specific to Delft
In 2023, the Rent Commission in the South Holland region, including Delft, handled approximately 1,200 security deposit cases, with 72% decided in favor of tenants due to lack of evidence of damage – higher than the national average due to stringent local rental controls.