Housing does nothing about moisture problems

Questioner

I am a self-employed person and have searched for a rental house so that I can do part of my work at home in the shed. This work mainly involves welding. I have been fighting with the housing association for some time now because they believe that moisture/groundwater belongs in a shed. All I hear is that I need to ventilate. That works with moisture but not with groundwater. They indicate that they do nothing about this and that a shed is not intended for power tools. Unfortunately, because of all this, I already had a shed fire due to moisture in one of my chargers, which caused me to lose 1100 euros worth of tools. I don't know what to do anymore and I'm standing with my back against the wall. What could I do about this?

Lawyer

The following can be found in the rent assessment committee's defects book under category C: The shed, storage room or garage is no longer usable for the purpose for which it was intended due to its technical condition. https://www.huurcommissie.nl/fileadmin/images/Downloads/Gebreakenboek_Huurcommissie_versie__juli_2021.pdf There must be a 'serious defect' with regard to the 'normal purpose of a shed'. The committee can reduce the rent if the problem persists. A shed is in principle not intended to house a business or to carry out welding work (unless this has been explicitly discussed with the landlord in advance). If the problem also makes 'normal use' of the shed impossible, the landlord will have to act. It will depend on the exact circumstances of the case. To give more specific advice I would need more information.

Lawyer

With regard to the damage suffered. If damage occurs during normal use of the shed due to poor maintenance or serious defects, the landlord may be liable/obliged to compensate (part of) the damage under certain circumstances. This will also depend on the circumstances of the case. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require legal assistance.