Withholding Deposit in Tilburg: When Is a Landlord Allowed to Do This?

In Tilburg, a landlord may not withhold the deposit arbitrarily. According to Article 7:220 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW), there must be demonstrable damage or outstanding payments related to the rental property. Damage, such as scratches on the kitchen floor in a typical Tilburg apartment on Heuvelstraat, must be reported and invoiced within a reasonable period, supported by original receipts. Local landlords in neighborhoods like Westermarkt or around the Spoorzone often demand stricter handover inspections due to high rental demand. In case of dispute, you can engage the Rent Commission (Huurcommissie), which handles many cases in North Brabant for students and first-time renters in Tilburg. Always create a detailed handover report with timestamped photos upon check-in, particularly for older properties from the textile era. If the landlord withholds the deposit unjustly, you are entitled to statutory interest from the end date of the rental agreement. If necessary, proceed via the subdistrict court (kantonrechter) at the Palace of Justice on Schouwburgplein. Avoid verbal agreements with local real estate agents; document everything in writing, including agreements on maintenance by the Municipality of Tilburg.