Termination of Rental Agreement due to Default in Delft

In Delft, default by the tenant, such as prolonged rent arrears, may entitle the landlord to termination of the rental agreement. Especially in student cities like Delft, with a lot of room rentals around TU Delft and the city centre, rent arrears often occur due to temporary financial problems among students or young professionals. After two months of arrears, you first send a formal notice of default, followed by a writ of summons to the district court in The Hague, which has jurisdiction over Delft matters. Collect evidence such as reminders, bank statements and possibly rental history from the land registry. In urgent situations, such as nuisance in densely populated neighbourhoods like the Nieuwe Binnenweg or Poptahof, summary proceedings are possible for a quick ruling. Tenants can still make payment to block termination. The Good Landlordship Act, strictly enforced in the Haaglanden region, requires reasonable notice periods, hearing and opportunity to be heard, and taking into account special circumstances such as study delay, illness or unemployment – common among Delft tenants. If granted, eviction follows via the bailiff, with police involvement if necessary. Self-help, such as changing locks in Delft canal houses, is prohibited and leads to fines via the municipality. Tenants can defend themselves with suspension of payment or appeal to debt counselling at SchuldHulpMaatschap Haaglanden. Alternatives are amicable settlements via local welfare organisations such as the Wmo counter in Delft. Judicial decisions are binding and protect both parties against arbitrariness in this rent-pressure city.