Service costs: what can your landlord charge and what not?

Updated: October 2026

Every month you pay basic rent and service charges. But what exactly is in that amount, and is it right? Service charges are meant for supplies and services, not as a disguised rent increase.

The rule is simple: service charges must be actually incurred, reasonable and accounted for. You pay an advance and the landlord settles on the basis of the actual costs.

1. What can be in service charges?

Service charges cover additional supplies and services related to the home. Examples are:

• energy, water or heat supplied by the landlord, if you have no meter of your own;
• cleaning and maintenance of shared areas;
• for example a caretaker for services;
• movable items you rent along, such as furniture, for which a usage fee can apply. That is not possible for immovable items.

What is allowed in a specific case depends on the agreement in your contract and the rules of the Huurcommissie's Service Charges Policy Book (Beleidsboek Servicekosten).

2. What does not belong there?

• Maintenance and repair of the building: that is for the landlord and is included in the basic rent.
• Profit: service charges may not be disguised rent. A fixed amount without a statement, or automatic indexation of fixed service charges, is a red flag.
• Bundling in an all-in price: you can ask for an all-in price to be split into basic rent and service charge advance (art. 7:258 Dutch Civil Code).

For preparing the statement a landlord may charge administration costs, but only within the limits of the Service Charges Policy Book.

3. The annual statement

4. To the Huurcommissie

Both the tenant and the landlord can involve the Huurcommissie (art. 7:260 Dutch Civil Code). A forfeiture period of 2.5 years applies. So check your statements in good time. See huurcommissie.nl for the procedure.

5. Raising the advance

Raising the advance is bound by law (art. 7:261 Dutch Civil Code). A landlord cannot simply make you pay a higher monthly amount.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. In doubt? Ask a lawyer, the Juridisch Loket or the Huurcommissie (Dutch Rent Tribunal).