Dutch court orders rent reduction for mold
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In Amsterdam, a court ordered a landlord to refund €15,035.25 in overpaid rent to tenants after failing to address mold and heating issues.
The tenants paid €1,300 per month, but the Huurcommissie (Rent Commission) determined a fair rent was €504.17 based on a point system. The court then reduced the rent by 20 percent for the duration of the mold problem, and an additional 20 percent for central heating issues until March 2025.
The ruling underscores the importance of tenants documenting issues from the start. The Rijksoverheid (national government) advises sending written notices to landlords outlining defects and requesting repairs within six weeks. Evidence like photos and a timeline of reported problems is crucial. The Huurcommissie will only address serious maintenance defects, and considers mold covering 0.25 square meters or more as significant. However, the cause of the mold matters, the commission considers whether it stems from building issues or tenant behavior.
Since July 1, 2026, the commission’s guidelines clarify how it evaluates mold in relation to natural ventilation. If a landlord doesn’t respond within six weeks, tenants can request a rent reduction through the Huurcommissie, which can lower rent by up to 80 percent. Tenants in the private rental sector may need a clause in their contract to access the Huurcommissie’s services, and any ruling would then be advisory rather than binding.
