In Rijswijk, a growing municipality near The Hague with many rental properties in districts such as Innen and Oud-Rijswijk, the Rent Commission independently handles rent disputes, particularly concerning rent prices and defects (Article 7:251 of the Dutch Civil Code). For tenants in Rijswijk’s flats or single-family homes, this is ideal for disputes over service charges or outstanding maintenance, such as leaks in older complexes on Van Vredenburchweg. The Commission does not directly resolve urgent termination cases – for these, you must approach the subdistrict court in The Hague – but its ruling on maintenance deficiencies can strengthen your case, for example, in uninhabitable situations in Rijswijk-Buiten.
Procedure: Free online application via [huurcommissie.nl](https://www.huurcommissie.nl), within 3 months of notifying the landlord. Tenants report defects; the landlord responds within the set term. The decision is binding for rent adjustments but not for contract termination.
Examples specific to Rijswijk: Excessive service charges for lift maintenance in high-rise buildings or unresolved mould in rental properties from the 1970s. A ruling is issued within 6 weeks. An appeal can be lodged with the subdistrict court. In 2023, the Commission handled 50,000 cases nationwide, many from the Haaglanden region, with 70% decided in favour of tenants. Combine with Article 7:279 of the Dutch Civil Code for a strong case in court. Not applicable for urgent housing allocation matters via the Municipality of Rijswijk.
Advantages: Low-threshold, no lawyer required, perfect for Rijswijk tenants in the pre-urgent phase.
Disadvantages: No direct enforcement.
Local tip: Check Rijswijk’s tenant support teams for additional assistance.