As a tenant, you must return the property as you received it at the start of your rental contract. Did damage occur during your rental period? Then the landlord can demand compensation for that. This is called rental damage.
Good to know: the landlord cannot ask for compensation for damage caused by normal wear and tear, old age or force majeure.
HoW ARE RENTAL DAMAGES DETERMINED?
There are two situations:
- No inventory was made at the start of the rental contract. Then it is presumed that the rental property is in the same condition as when the rental contract started. Please note: if the landlord proves that you caused damage, then they can still ask for compensation.
- An inventory was made at the start of the rental contract. Then at the end you should prepare a 'comparative inventory'. You can do this with the owner, or through an expert (see inventory upon arrival). Don't sign anything you don't agree with! If you sign, it means that you agree. You cannot go back on that later.
The comparative inventory contains a list of all rental damages. Is certain damage not on the list? Then it cannot be added later.
How much rental damage do you have to pay for?
Is there rental damage? If so, then you as a tenant must pay these costs:
- reasonable costs to repair the damage
- or a compensation for the reduced value caused by the damage
The total costs for the rental damages are usually included in the inventory. You and the landlord must agree on the total costs.
The landlord does not have to prove that the repair is effectively done.
Do you want to repair (or have repaired) certain damage, as a tenant? Then you must do so before the end of the end of the rental contract.
