Some 70% of rental housing agencies are still charging new tenants fees even though this is not allowed by law, broadcaster NOS said at the weekend, quoting the Dutch competition authority ACM.

In 2015, the Dutch supreme court ruled that housing agents who charge home owners a fee to advertise their property may not also charge tenants a fee for finding them a home.

‘Whether you call it ‘courtage’, administration costs, key money or mediation fees, it is not allowed,’ an ACM spokesman told NOS.

Tenants union Woonbond told the broadcaster that fees to tenants have gone down since the high court ruling and they are no longer being asked for an entire month’s rent.

The ACM is calling on tenants who have been charged fees to report the cases to its hotline.

The Labour party is also planning to raise the issue with the housing ministry on Tuesday, NOS said.

More information on reclaiming housing agency fees

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