Increasingly, landlords rent out homes temporarily: via short stay, AirBnB or a temporary rental contract.

Even with these forms of rental, a deposit is almost always required. But what are the rules? And what should you, as a tenant or landlord, take into account?The tenancy law attorneys of Arslan Advocaten

explain it.

What is temporary rental?

• There are different forms of temporary rental:Short-stay rental:

• expats or foreign employees rent a home for a few months.Airbnb or vacation rental:

• short-term rental for a few days or weeks.Temporary rental agreement:

fixed-term contract, for example 6 or 12 months.In all cases, a is usually security deposit (deposit)

requested.

• How much deposit is customary?AirBnB/vacation rentals:

• often a small deposit (for example € 100 – € 500).Short stay/expats:

• often 1 to 2 months’ rent. Sometimes landlords ask for 3 months, but that is often unreasonable.Temporary contracts (residential rental):

just like regular rentals, usually 1 to 2 months’ rent.

A deposit of more than 2 months’ rent is usually too high, especially with temporary contracts.

When may the deposit be withheld?

1. The deposit may only be withheld for:Rent arrears

2. – also for temporary rentals.Damage to the home or furnishings

3. – not including normal wear and tear.Unpaid service charges

or utilities.

• Withholding is not permitted for:

• Normal wear and tear (such as a worn floor or small holes in the wall).

• Cleaning costs that are not covered by the agreements.

“Extra security” without justification.

• Common problems with temporary rentalsExcessive deposit for expats/short stay:

• landlords sometimes demand 3 to 6 months’ deposit.No refund after departure:

• especially with foreign tenants who return to their home country.Unjustified cleaning costs:

deposit is withheld because it was supposedly “not clean enough” upon handover.

• Real-world examplesShort stay in Rotterdam: an expat had to pay a 4-month deposit

• . The judge ruled that this was unreasonable; the deposit was largely refunded.AirBnB rental:

• a guest lost his € 250 deposit because the landlord thought the property was not clean. We made sure the deposit was refunded because the landlord could not prove this.Temporary rental contract:

a tenant did not get the deposit back because there was a scratch on the floor. The judge ruled that this was normal wear and tear.

• Checklist for temporary tenants

• 📑 Read the deposit terms in the rental contract carefully.

• 📷 Always take photos when moving in and when leaving the property.

• ✉️ Request an itemized statement if the deposit is (partially) withheld.

⚖️ Consult a lawyer in case of disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is a landlord allowed to ask for a higher deposit for short stay?

Only if there is a good reason. More than 2 months’ rent is often unreasonable.
2. How does the deposit work with AirBnB?

AirBnB has its own rules. The deposit is often handled through the platform. Unjustified withholding can be contested via AirBnB or through the courts.
3. What if my deposit isn’t returned after moving abroad?

You can also start legal proceedings from abroad with the help of a Dutch lawyer.
4. Does tenancy law also apply to temporary contracts?

Yes, the deposit rules are the same as for regular rental agreements.

Conclusion

Even with temporary rentals – short stay, AirBnB or fixed-term contracts – clear rules apply to the deposit. The deposit must be reasonable (usually 1 to 2 months’ rent) and may only be withheld for rent arrears, damage, or service charges.Is your deposit being withheld unfairly? The tenancy law attorneys at Arslan Advocaten