In Rijswijk, a municipality near The Hague with many rental properties in neighbourhoods such as Innen and Oud-Rijswijk, tenants have clear rights regarding the refund of the deposit, while landlords have strict obligations. The landlord must refund the deposit within one month after the end of the tenancy period, as stipulated in Article 7:266 of the Dutch Civil Code. Deductions are only permitted for proven damage, necessary cleaning costs, or outstanding bills, always substantiated with invoices or photographs.
Tenants in Rijswijk are entitled to statutory interest on the deposit from the day of payment until the refund. In case of refusal, you can send a notice of default and subsequently proceed to the district court in The Hague. Landlords may not deduct unreasonable costs for normal wear and tear, such as dulled paint or light scratches from daily use in a Rijswijk single-family home. Tenants must leave the property in the condition of the original intake report, taking into account local requirements.
With private landlords in Rijswijk, the deposit is often held on a blocked account at a bank such as ING or Rabobank; housing corporations such as Vidomes or Haag Wonen use internal systems with digital portals. Local disputes can be submitted to the Rent Tribunal (free and low-threshold) or the district court in The Hague. Example: deducting costs for 'renewal of carpet' in a property on Van Kinsbergenstraat is unjustified if the carpet is older than 5 years. Document everything with photographs, a digital intake report, and possibly witness statements via the Rijswijk tenants' association. This prevents misunderstandings and provides protection in the local rental market. (312 words)