Assistance with rental disputes - Legal aid centre

Questioner

Hello, My husband and 3 daughters (4, 4, and 6) rented a spacious villa in Bussum furnished for 3 years through a recognized real estate agent in 't Gooi. The owners (around 60 without children) went sailing around the world for 3 years and we were their first tenants. We signed a standard rental contract and general terms and conditions, including a page with photos of each room. However, there was no inventory list or inspection report drawn up by the real estate agent. We paid a two-month deposit of EUR 5,500.00. There was a lot of art and paintings in the house and we immediately put them in the attic. In the meantime, the owners have visited us and we have always considered the house as our own home, nicely decorated and maintained. The house was delivered and inspected at the end of July, together with the real estate agent. Everything was checked in detail and the couple was surprised that it had not been delivered in its original state. Normal use, wear and tear is normal and if they had lived there themselves, not but they knew that a family with 3 children was moving in. Carpeting, parquet and walls are used and no longer beautiful. We are very shocked by the final specification and even have to pay 1,500 extra. The list includes kitchen utensils of a few euros, pans, rugs, vacuum cleaner and large items walls, repair parquet, new carpeting. What is normal use and wear in this case. We are a really neat family, my husband is a doctor and our girls are quiet and we have always raised them properly.

Lawyer

In such a discussion, the landlord will have to prove that it was not delivered properly. There can be no question of 'original condition', because the house was occupied when you moved in and three years of occupation also leaves traces. It always depends somewhat on the situation how the house should be delivered, but with regard to missing items, the landlord has no leg to stand on if no report was drawn up when you moved into the house. If desired, I may be able to help you further with this. If you wish, you can contact me via 'direct contact'.