Safe renting: tips for private landlords

As a private landlord you choose your own tenant. HuurwoningHub forwards responses but does not screen or select tenants. This guide helps you choose a tenant within the rules, recognise fraud and draw up a sound tenancy agreement.

1. Choosing a tenant under the Good Landlordship Act

The Dutch Good Landlordship Act (Wet goed verhuurderschap) has applied since 2023. It sets a few ground rules for choosing a tenant:

Set objective criteria in advance — for example an income requirement, the preferred start date and the number of occupants — and publish them in your listing.
Treat every response equally — no distinction by origin, nationality, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability, including indirectly, such as "Dutch speakers only".
Do not ask for more data than necessary — and only when it is necessary. Ask for a copy of an ID or payslips only when you are seriously considering someone, not from everyone who responds.
Check what you receive — does the name on the ID match the bank account and the employer's statement? Have the citizen service number (BSN) and photo blanked out on any copy of an ID.
No extra fees — you may not charge the tenant agency or contract fees.

2. Recognise fraud

Watch out for the following signs:

Someone wants to rent the property without a viewing.
An offer to pay more than the asking rent, or a "bonus for your trust".
Payment through unknown channels or from an account in another name.
A story about being abroad or an emergency.
Documents that look edited or inconsistent.

3. The tenancy agreement

Always use a written tenancy agreement. Make sure it includes:

Full names and addresses of landlord and tenant.
Address and description of the property.
Rent, service charges, payment date and method.
Deposit (maximum 2 months' basic rent).
Term: fixed or indefinite. Since 2024 fixed-term contracts are only allowed in limited cases.
Agreements on maintenance and house rules (pets, smoking, subletting).

Under the Good Landlordship Act you must also inform the tenant in writing about, among other things, the service charges, the deposit and a contact point for questions and complaints.

4. Deposit

The deposit is at most two months' basic rent. Record in writing when you will withhold (part of) the deposit. After the tenancy ends you must repay the deposit within 14 days, or within 30 days if there is damage.

5. Inspection at start and end

At the start, make an inspection report with photos of every room and have the tenant sign it. Do the same when the tenant leaves. This prevents disputes about damage.

6. How responses work on HuurwoningHub

People looking for a home respond to your listing with their name, email address and a message. We forward it to your inbox and you reply directly. We do not ask them for income details; if you need those to apply your criteria, ask for them yourself when it is necessary. Phone numbers and email addresses in your listing text are hidden automatically. Always arrange a viewing before you decide, and never ask for money before a signed contract.

Want to know more? Read our blog or email info@huurwoninghub.nl.