Tenant Reporting Point

Are you renting a residential property? Or are you looking for rental property? And the landlord is acting inappropriately? You have the option to send a report to the local council or housing association.

What is the procedure?

Landlords are subject to certain rules in the Netherlands, which are laid down in the Landlords Good Practices Act. For example, landlords are not allowed to discriminate against, threaten or intimidate people. They must moreover observe rules regarding any requested deposit and service charges.

You can file a report if your landlord does not comply with these rules.

Additionally, the Affordable Rent Act was introduced on 1 July 2024. This act ensures that the rent is in line with the quality standards of the residential property. If your landlord asks too much rent (or a rent increase that is too high), you can check this through a rent check. You will find detailed information about all laws and regulations here as well.

Which tenants can file a report with the reporting desk?

• Tenants looking for private rental accommodation.
• Private tenants.
• Tenants who are renting from a housing association and pay a rent (or a rent increase) that is higher than permitted by law.
• Foreign workers with a work-rental contract through an employment agency.

What items can be reported?

1. Discrimination by the landlord. Landlords are not allowed to discriminate against anyone. This is stated in Article 1 of the Constitution. This may be punishable by law. Discrimination can be reported to the police. The Landlords Good Practices Act helps to ensure fair and transparent letting. Any complaints you might have on this can be reported to the local authorities. Alternatively, you can ask for help from the Equal Treatment Agency.
2. Intimidation by the landlord or the landlord is causing you anxiety. This can be reported to the local authorities as well as to the police: Reporting a crime or making a report.
3. The landlord is asking a deposit that is too high (more than 2 months' basic rent).
4. In case you do not have a written tenancy agreement (tenancy agreement on paper).
5. In case you have insufficient information about:
   • your rights and obligations.
   • receiving your deposit back when you move out.
   • the contact details of the landlord and the reporting desk.
   • the amount and explanation of the service charges.
6. Excessive service charges.
7. Double agency fees.
8. In case you pay rent that exceeds the amount agreed in the provisions in the law. For homes with a maximum of 186 points under the WWS (Property Value System), a higher amount is charged than the amount permitted by law. The government website shows the maximum permissible amount of your rent.
9. Rent increase that is too high (higher than the amount permitted by law).
10. In case you do not have any information about the WWS points total for the residential property.

 In which cases can foreign workers file a report?

• If the rental agreement is linked to the employment contract.
• If the landlord has not informed you in writing in a language you understand.

 Explanatory videos in different languages

• in Dutch, Enqlish, Spanish, Polish, Romanian or Bulgarian

 Who can you submit a report to?

1. To the local authorities

In case you are renting (or are going to rent) residential property from a private landlord (you can file a report regarding items 1 to 10). In case you are renting residential property through a housing association and are paying too much rent or have received a rent increase that is too high. This applies to items 8 to 10, which include the amount of your rent, the rent increase and the number of WWS points for your home. You can submit a report to us in case you are unable to reach an agreement with the landlord. In this case, we recommend that you first contact the Netherlands Rent Tribunal. Alternatively, you can report these points to the housing association.

1. To the housing association

If you are renting residential property through a housing association, a report can be filed to the housing association regarding items 1 to 10. Please check the website of your housing association for further details.

What items cannot be reported?

You cannot use the reporting desk to report maintenance that has not been carried out.

 Filing a report

• If you wish to file a report regarding your landlord or letting agent, you can do so using this contact form. Or by using the postal address: Postal address: Gemeente Lelystad, team Stadstoezicht, Antwoordnummer 1, 8200 VB Lelystad (if you are unable to report digitally).

When completing the form, we ask tor the following information.

• Personal details: your name, address, telephone number and email address. The report may be filed anonymously. If you file your report anonymously, we will not be able to ask you any questions or keep you informed about the processing of the report.
• Landlord or letting agent details: The contact details of the landlord or letting agent must be entered here.
• Address of the property: provide the address of the residential property that is the subject of your report.
• Description of the complaint: describe the issue as accurately as possible.
• Contact details. 

What happens after you have submitted your report?

You will receive confirmation of your report within five working days. Please make sure that your report is complete and clear. The time to process your report depends on the severity and complexity of the situation. If we agree with your report, we will fine the landlord or take other measures to ensure that the situation is restored in accordance with the rules.

 More information

• Filing a report for housing association Centrada
• Filing a report for housing association Harmonisch wonen
• Filing a report for housing association Woonzorg Nederland
• Landlords Good Practices Act
• Affordable Rent Act
• Rent check
• Deposit amount
• Fair service charges - Article 259
• Fair service charges - Article 261