Rent Reduction After Exceeding WWS Maximum in Delft: Your Step-by-Step Guide

In Delft, where the rental market is under pressure due to the proximity of TU Delft and its vibrant student life, landlords often exceed the WWS maximum. If your Delft landlord does this and you have already paid the excessively high rent, you can demand rent reduction pursuant to article 7:232 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) via the court to bring the rent back to the statutory maximum. Start with a registered letter to the landlord, in which you specify the exceedance with reference to the WWS table for your postcode area (2611-2629 in Delft). Demand repayment of the excess paid, including dates, exact amounts, and the WWS percentage – in 2024 that was 3.4%, but check the current RVO data for Delft neighbourhoods such as the city centre or Tuindorp. If the landlord does not respond within 14 days? Turn to the Huurcommissie for binding advice in the regulated sector, or directly to the cantonal court in The Hague for unregulated sector properties. Local Delft tenant associations such as Huurteam Delft offer free advice and templates. Keep payment proofs, tenancy agreements, and correspondence; this is crucial for successful claims, which often lead to repayment plus statutory interest. Note: you have two years after the increase to litigate. In Delft, with its high vacancy rules and municipal enforcement of housing allocation, this strengthens your position against unlawful practices and effectively restores your finances.