When do you have to pay agency fees when you rent?

Usually you don't have to pay mediation costs. Nevertheless, there are still rental properties for which mediation costs are charged. This is not always the case. Read in this article what mediation costs are and when you do have to pay them.

What is mediation?

Many landlords use estate agents to rent out their properties. The estate agent puts the residence on a website and looks for a new tenant. The estate agent takes care of such things as providing information, viewings and the tenancy agreement. He or she is then a mediator between the landlord and (potential) tenant.

What does the law say about mediation costs?

Since 2015, there are clear rules about mediation costs. When an estate agent acts as a mediator between a landlord and a tenant on behalf of a landlord, the law states that the agent may not charge the private tenant a mediation fee. This has to do with the danger of a conflict of interests between the landlord and the tenant (Article 7:417 paragraph 1 of the Civil Code "BW").

What is the difference between mediation costs and registration costs?

Some mediators charge the tenant mediation fees without justification. From Research by the Dutch Consumers' Association shows that sometimes other terms are used, such as 'registration costs'. It doesn't matter what you call these costs; charging the tenant for mediating between a landlord and tenant is not allowed. So pay close attention and ask exactly what the costs are for.

When do you have to pay mediation costs?

If you, as a tenant, commission a mediator to search for a residence or to negotiate about a residence that the mediator is not offering on behalf of the landlord, then he or she may charge costs for this. The intermediary does not work for the landlord, but only for you as tenant. In this way the interests of the tenant and landlord cannot become entangled.

Does vb&t Verhuurmakelaars charge mediation fees?

No. The homes you see on our website are offered on behalf of various landlords. This means that we act as a mediator between landlord and (potential) tenant. We do not charge the tenant any mediation fees.

The rental specialist in the Netherlands

With a housing stock of 15,000 homes, vb&t Verhuurmakelaars is one of the largest rental specialists in the Netherlands. We have 55 years of experience in renting and managing homes.

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