Unlawful Key Money in Rental Contracts in Tilburg

{"introduction":"Unlawful key money in rental contracts occurs more frequently in Tilburg than you might think, particularly in popular neighbourhoods such as the Spoorzone or areas around the University. As a tenant, you may sometimes pay a fee for the transfer of keys, but this cannot simply be charged as additional rent or deposit. According to Book 7, Title 4 of the Dutch Civil Code, every payment must be transparent and reasonable. In Tilburg, this is often seen with private landlords in the city centre or Oud-Zuid.","when_is_key_money_unlawful":{"header":"When is key money unlawful?","examples":["If the landlord has already included key costs in the rent.","If the amount is disproportionately high compared to the actual costs (maximum €100 according to Rent Tribunal guidelines)."]},"steps_to_reclaim":{"header":"Steps to reclaim unlawful key money:","steps":[{"step":1,"description":"Review your rental contract for specific mentions, paying attention to local practices in Tilburg."},{"step":2,"description":"Request a detailed cost specification from your landlord."},{"step":3,"description":"File a complaint with the Rent Tribunal; for tenants in Tilburg, the procedure is accessible and often resolved within a few weeks."}]},"case_example":{"header":"Practical Example:","description":"A tenant in the Tilburg neighbourhood of Het Zand paid €300 in key money for an apartment near Heuvelstraat but received €220 back after intervention by the Rent Tribunal, as only €80 constituted actual costs."},"legal_tips":{"header":"Legal Tip:","description":"Keep all receipts, emails, and correspondence carefully. In cases of non-compliance, you can approach the subdistrict court in Tilburg for repayment plus statutory interest. Local organisations such as the Legal Counter Tilburg offer free advice for rental disputes. This way, you effectively protect your rights in the Tilburg rental market."}}