Agency fees when renting in the Netherlands: can an agent charge you?
Last checked Published
CheckMyRental is an educational checklist, not legal advice and not a law firm. It cannot see your whole situation. Read your contract yourself and get professional help when a lot is at stake.
Can a rental agent charge the tenant a fee?
Agents who work for the landlord cannot charge you agency fees, whoever pays them in the end. Fees may be disguised as administration, registration or contract costs.
What to ask
Ask the agent to remove the fee or to confirm in writing that the agency works only for you. If you already paid, ask for a refund in writing.
You can copy these sentences into your message. They come from our rule pack.
Words to look for in a Dutch contract
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| bemiddelingskosten | agency fees |
| courtage | commission |
| administratiekosten | administration costs |
| inschrijfkosten | registration fee |
| contractkosten | contract costs |
| verhuurkosten | rental costs |
Official sources
The statements on this page come from these pages, which we last checked on 5 October 2026.
- Rijksoverheid: moet ik bemiddelingskosten betalen voor een kamer of huurwoning (checked 5 October 2026)
- Juridisch Loket: bemiddelingskosten (checked 5 October 2026)
- Volkshuisvesting Nederland: regelgeving bemiddelingskosten (checked 5 October 2026)
What this page does not cover
This page explains the rules in our rule pack, checked against the sources above. It does not cover your own contract or situation, and it is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, see the box below.
Check your own contract
Upload your contract and see which of these rules it appears to conflict with.
When to talk to a lawyer or the Huurcommissie
- You are being evicted, your landlord has terminated the contract, or you got a court summons: contact a lawyer or Juridisch Loket today. Deadlines can be short.
- You already live there and think your starting rent is too high: the Huurcommissie can assess the starting rent. For regulated homes the request generally has to be made within 6 months of the start (Huurcommissie, checked 2026-10-05). Use the official Huurprijscheck first.
- Your deposit was not returned within 14 days (30 days when there are deductions), or the service-cost statement is missing: write to the landlord first, then ask Juridisch Loket or the Huurcommissie.
- An agent or landlord charged fees, discriminated, or intimidated you: report it to your municipality's Meldpunt Goed Verhuurderschap. Every municipality has one. Eindhoven: info@goedverhuurderschapeindhoven.nl, 085 11 55 587, Fridays 10:30-13:30 at TU/e Atlasgebouw (municipal page, 2026-10-05).
- The report says GREY or 'not covered', you are not sure whether an exception applies to you (student, room in the landlord's home, company let), or more than about 3,000 EUR is at stake: get a professional opinion before you sign.
- Free help: Juridisch Loket, 0800 8020, Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00 (English page, 2026-10-05; the page says personal advice is for people with a low income, so check eligibility). Huurteam Eindhoven (free, online consultation Wed 13:00-16:00, Thu 18:00-21:00, their page). Woonbond (membership, members can submit a contract to lawyers).