Apartment rental settlement

Questioner

I rented an apartment for a number of years. I moved out on 14 November. At that time, it was discussed with the real estate agent that I had to transfer the full month's rent for the month of November. Since I had already moved out on 14 November, I would get half of the month back. The real estate agent has been very difficult to reach since then. To date, I have not received a key transfer form and have not received a response as to when I can expect the excess rent back. Within what period is it legally required that I get the rent back? And from what point is it wise to take further steps?

Lawyer

I understand that this can be a frustrating situation. Generally, there are no specific legal deadlines regarding the repayment of the "overpaid" rent after the lease has ended. The law in this case simply states that the landlord is required to repay the undue payment "within a reasonable time." However, what is considered a reasonable time varies depending on the circumstances. As a first step I would recommend trying to communicate further with the landlord/agent and make a specific request for a refund. This can be done by phone, but it is also advisable to do this in writing or by email so that you have a record of your attempts. If you still can’t get a response or your money back, it’s a good idea to send a registered letter, setting a deadline for the refund. You could indicate that if the broker doesn’t respond within this period, you’ll consider further action, such as hiring a lawyer or possibly a debt collection agency. If this does not produce any results, you could seek legal advice. There are possibilities to start a procedure with the subdistrict court, but this can involve costs and it is advisable to discuss this with a lawyer. Please note: this is general advice and may differ from what applies to your specific situation. If in doubt, always contact a lawyer or legal expert.' ---------------- Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. The above advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer