Installing a wood stove in a rental property? Legal advice!

Questioner

I live in a rental house, a nice corner house. I would like to place a wood stove. A certified party can drill 'only' 1 hole in the side wall to be able to install a flue quite easily. The housing association doesn't like this, they don't want it. But in my eyes, only 1 hole in the house is easy to repair (at my own expense of course) if I ever want to move. Of course I do insurance and chimney sweeps and everything that needs to be arranged properly. * Is there a law that says I can do this as long as the home is returned to its original condition? * What if I install a stove anyway, what steps could the housing association take?

Lawyer

In principle, a tenant needs permission from the owner/landlord for such a renovation. If you continue with your plans against the will of the landlord, the following applies: if the change to the rented property has a positive effect on the rentability, you could still enforce permission through the court. The court can also give the tenant an order, under which conditions the flue gas exhaust should be built, etc. If the change is also an objective improvement after (replacement) permission, you would not have to remove it after the end of the rental period.

Questioner

Thank you Monique for your answer. I understand what you are saying, only I have one more question: * Who determines whether there is a positive effect on the rentability? Of course I think so and the housing industry probably does not. Is this decision up to the judge. And are there examples of cases that have been dealt with? Thank you in advance.

Lawyer

Yes, the judge in the judiciary. But wood stoves nowadays give rise to many complaints, bad publicity and moreover (because of the renovation and pollution) an environmental permit is probably needed. An additional problem is that changes to the outside can be more limited, and an exhaust and a valve are needed.