Many expats who rent a home in the Netherlands pay service costs in addition to the rent. These are costs for, for example, energy, cleaning or maintenance of common areas. Unfortunately, we often see that expats pay too many service costs or even have costs passed on that are not justified at all.
The tenancy law lawyers of Arslan Advocaten explain exactly what service costs are, what is and is not allowed, and how expats can protect themselves.
What are service costs?
Service costs are additional costs on top of the basic rental price. Examples:
Gas, water and electricity (if included).
Cleaning of stairwells or common areas.
Garden maintenance in apartment complexes.
Furniture or upholstery in furnished homes.
⚠️ Please note: service costs must always be transparent and verifiable
Why expats often pay too much
Unclear contracts – expats often sign quickly, without knowing what is or is not included in the service costs.
Lack of settlement – landlords sometimes do not provide an annual settlement, even though this is mandatory.
Double costs – some expats pay for gas/water/light and through the service costs.
Unjustified items – costs for repairs or brokers are sometimes wrongly stated as service costs.
Your rights as an expat
The landlord is obliged to provide an annual overview of the service costs.
Only reasonable and demonstrable costs may be passed on.
You are entitled to inspect invoices and accounts.
Are you paying too much? Then you can claim a refund.
Practical examples
Expats in Amsterdam paid € 200 per month in service costs. When the invoices were requested, it turned out that only € 80 per month was reasonable. The rest was refunded.
An expat in The Hague was charged cleaning costs for a building where no cleaner was active. After the intervention of a lawyer, he got his money back.
International student paid service costs for furniture that was already broken upon delivery. These costs were canceled after an objection.
Checklist for expats for service costs
📑 Ask for a specification of the service costs in the contract.
🧾 Ask for the settlement annually.
📉 Check whether the costs correspond to your actual use.
⚖️ Contact a lawyer if the service costs seem too high or unjustified.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. How much service costs are normal?
That depends on the home, but amounts above € 100-150 per month for a room or small house are often suspicious.
2. Does the landlord have to show invoices?
Yes, you have the right to inspect the underlying invoices.
3. Can I get a refund for overpaid service costs?
Yes, you can claim a refund and, if necessary, go through the courts.
4. Do expats have the same rights as Dutch people?
Yes, expats have exactly the same rights and protection under Dutch rental law.
Conclusion
Expats often pay too much or unjustified service charges because they do not know the rules well and landlords abuse this. Know that you are always entitled to transparency, an annual settlement and reimbursement of unjustified costs.
The tenancy law lawyers of Arslan Advocaten help expats protect their rights and reimburse unduly paid service costs progress.