Proposed law would oblige tenants to report issues in writing to landlord

Tenants will soon have to report problems with their homes to the landlord in writing. This rule is part of the new draft law “Future-Proof Rent Tribunal”, which caretaker housing minister Mona Keijzer submitted to parliament on Thursday.

The change is meant to avoid confusion. When tenants only make a complaint verbally, it is often hard to prove later during the procedure process. This has resulted in many cases being delayed.

Tenants and landlords will also get more time to prepare their argument for when they disagree with a ruling by the tribunal’s chairperson. The new, longer deadline will give them the chance to ask an expert for advice. The Rent Tribunal will also be allowed to bring in extra chairpersons during busy periods, and it may prepare its own form to provide a clearer breakdown of service charges.

The option to file complaints about a landlord’s behavior to the Rent Tribunal will be removed. Since July 1, 2023, tenants have already been able to report issues such as intimidating or unfair behavior by landlords to their local municipal reporting centers.

These changes follow an evaluation of how the Rent Tribunal works. The goal is to make the process clearer, more reliable, and easier to trust, so that tenants and landlords can get help faster and more effectively.