Legal assistance with rental problems in Haarlem

Questioner

Dear, I live in a social housing unit in Haarlem. This mini-apartment complex is fenced off with a gate to which only the residents of this complex have the key. A few weeks ago, the lock of the lock in question did not work, so I could not enter the gate and therefore did not have access to my house. This happened in the middle of the night. I then called the police and asked what I should do. They replied that I had to call a locksmith. The police also arrived and saw that the lock was broken and did not work. The locksmith then came and found that the lock was defective. He removed the lock so that I had access to my house again. However, I had to pay the costs of € 308.-. The housing association from which I rent my house said that the municipality of Haarlem is responsible for that lock. The municipality investigated this and said that my housing association is responsible for the lock. They now refuse to reimburse the amount. In my opinion, I am not responsible for this because it is not my gate and the lock was defective. What steps can I take? Am I entitled to the 308 euros I paid? Thank you in advance.

Lawyer

I recommend that you send a registered letter to the landlord requesting that the damage be compensated within 14 days and also stating that if this is not done, you will deduct this from the rent.

Questioner

Thank you. I can do the first, but the rent is collected by direct debit.

Lawyer

Then you cancel a payment and manually transfer the rent minus 308 euros.