A letter saying you must leave your room, a dispute about co-tenancy or a withheld deposit calls for clarity about your position. Do you live in or let property in Nijmegen? You can put your tenancy question to Arslan Advocaten. We discuss in advance which office and which lawyer can handle the case and which form of contact is suitable.
This page focuses mainly on renting a room, renting together and the end of a tenancy agreement. Other tenancy disputes can also be assessed. The starting point is always the specific contract and the actual living situation. You can read more about this area of law on our page tenancy law.
Renting a room is not the same as renting one home together
When renting a room, you may have your own contract for non-self-contained accommodation. When renting together, several occupants can be named on one agreement. Subletting or living with the landlord himself can also play a role. Those differences can have consequences for payment, termination and the position of occupants who leave.
Read who is named as tenant on the contract and which space is being let. Check whether the rent is paid separately or jointly and what arrangements exist about shared facilities. The way occupants divide costs among themselves does not always tell you what applies legally in relation to the landlord.
Also take later arrangements into account. Has an occupant been replaced, has someone been given permission to move in or has a new agreement been signed? A timeline helps to establish which rights and obligations apply now.
A temporary contract does not always end automatically
With a contract that has an end date, it must be examined which tenancy regime applies and when the contract was entered into. The rules on temporary letting have changed and have exceptions. The words temporary contract alone therefore do not give a complete answer.
Check which notice you have received and on what date. Is it a notification of the end date, a notice of termination or a proposal to end the tenancy by mutual agreement? Those terms do not have the same meaning. Keep the letter, the e-mail and the accompanying envelope or delivery details.
Do not sign a termination statement merely because it says this is a formality. First have it assessed whether you agree to the end of the tenancy and what consequences that has. Arrangements about the departure date, the deposit and handing over the property also deserve attention.
The same starting point applies to landlords: an end date in the contract does not release you from the obligation to follow the correct route. A timely assessment can prevent an intended termination from turning out differently than expected.
Renting together when one occupant wants to leave
The departure of one occupant can have consequences for the remaining tenant and the landlord. Who remains responsible for the rent? Is permission needed for a replacement? And is the contract amended or does the original obligation remain in place?
Distinguish between the internal arrangement between occupants and an arrangement with the landlord. A mutual statement that someone no longer has to pay does not automatically bind the landlord. Written clarity about release from obligations is therefore important.
In the case of partners, rules on co-tenancy (medehuur) may also apply. The legal relationship and the way the contract is set up must be assessed. The fact that someone has in fact already moved out does not always settle the question of the remaining obligations.
Collect the contract, correspondence about co-occupants and proposals for a takeover. Describe what you want to achieve: departure, continuation, replacement of an occupant or a division of arrears. That makes it possible to explore a targeted solution.
Deposit and final inspection on departure
The deposit can give rise to a dispute if the landlord claims damage or arrears. Handing over the property carefully helps to prevent it from being unclear afterwards in what condition the space was left.
Where possible, schedule an inspection and record which points are discussed. Take clear photos and keep repair arrangements. Note the date the keys were handed over and ask for confirmation of any outstanding items.
Is an amount being withheld? Ask for a specification and the substantiation. Compare it with the initial description, photos and your payment overview. It is important to distinguish between alleged damage, cleaning, rent arrears and other costs.
A lawyer can help determine which items can be disputed and how you request repayment. The size of the interest at stake plays a role in the choice of further legal steps. Proceedings must also be weighed up in practical and financial terms.
Rent, service charges and shared facilities
With rooms and shared homes, it is sometimes unclear which part of the amount is basic rent and which part is an advance payment for services. Ask for a clear breakdown. It is needed to properly assess a question about rent or service charges.
For an annual statement, the actual costs and allocation keys can be relevant. Check which period is being settled and which occupants or spaces have been included in the allocation. State your objections per item and ask for the documents that can answer your question.
The available procedure depends on the type of tenancy and the subject. The Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie) deals with certain disputes; other questions belong before the court. Also have the time limits checked. A substantive objection is of little help if a necessary step is not taken in time.
Recording defects and nuisance carefully
Maintenance problems can also arise when renting a room. Report the problem clearly and keep photos and responses. Indicate which room or facility is affected and since when. With a shared facility, it can help to record which occupants experience the problem.
Nuisance calls for specific information. Note the dates, nature and duration of incidents without unnecessarily escalating the situation. A general accusation makes it difficult to assess what action can be expected from the landlord or another party.
Do not stop paying rent without legal advice. First discuss how you can substantiate a repair request or complaint and which options are suitable. Otherwise a maintenance conflict and payment arrears may start running side by side.
An imminent eviction or hearing
In the case of a summons or an announced eviction, the time available is important. Contact us immediately and mention the date. The first step may be to establish which defence still needs to be put forward and which documents are needed for it.
Even if you think the claim is incorrect, formal proceedings must be taken seriously. Keep proof of payments, arrangements made and earlier responses. A verbal assurance that everything will be fine is no substitute for confirmation that proceedings have been stopped.
We discuss the legal position, the desired result and the costs of possible steps. There is no general guarantee that an eviction can be prevented. A timely assessment can, however, make clear which options are still open.
Tenancy law in Nijmegen: where to go
If your room or home is in Nijmegen, your tenancy case will as a rule be heard by the subdistrict court of the District Court of Gelderland, Nijmegen location. Tenancy cases always go to the subdistrict court, regardless of the amount involved (article 93(c) of the Code of Civil Procedure). A lawyer is not mandatory before the subdistrict court.
| Body | For what | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Subdistrict court, District Court of Gelderland, Nijmegen location | Tenancy proceedings: reclaiming a deposit, rent arrears, termination and eviction, repair of defects | Oranjesingel 56, 6511 NW Nijmegen |
| Meldpunt Huurders Nijmegen (tenants’ reporting point, housed at Stichting Huurteams Nijmegen) | Reporting, among other things, discrimination, intimidation, an excessive deposit, a missing contract, incorrect service charges, double agency fees and excessive rent (Good Landlordship Act, Wet goed verhuurderschap); reports can be made anonymously | nijmegen.nl, tenants’ reporting point |
| Stichting Huurteams Nijmegen | Help with other tenancy problems, such as poor maintenance or a deposit that is not repaid | via the municipality’s website |
| Huurcommissie (national) | Rent, service charges and maintenance in the regulated and mid-market segments; not for deposit disputes | huurcommissie.nl |
For students and room tenants, the same maximum deposit applies as for other tenants: for a contract from 1 July 2023, no more than two months’ basic rent. Check it with the deposit check. A report to the reporting point can lead to enforcement action against the landlord; you reclaim your deposit from the landlord and, if necessary, through the subdistrict court; rent paid in excess (for regulated and mid-market rent) through the Huurcommissie.
Sources: Overheid.nl, District Court of Gelderland Nijmegen location; municipality of Nijmegen, tenants’ reporting point (checked on 23 September 2026).
Frequently asked questions about tenancy law in Nijmegen
Can I put my tenancy question from Nijmegen to Arslan?
Yes. Describe your situation when you first contact us. We will then discuss whether and how the handling can be arranged and which office is suitable. Mention any existing deadline or hearing date straight away.
Am I free of the rent if I deregister from the address?
Deregistration does not automatically determine whether your contractual obligations end. The tenancy agreement and arrangements with the landlord are important for that. Have it recorded when and under what conditions you are released from the obligations.
Does a housemate have to repay my share of the deposit?
That depends on who paid the deposit and what arrangements exist between the occupants and with the landlord. A settlement between occupants and the landlord’s obligation are different questions. Collect proof of payment and the relevant arrangements.
Can the landlord simply choose a new occupant?
The scope for replacement depends on the contract and the legal relationship. Your own room contract is different from jointly renting one home. Have the specific situation assessed.
Do I need a lawyer before the subdistrict court?
A lawyer is not mandatory there. Assistance can, however, be useful with a complicated contract, several tenants or an imminent eviction. Discuss the costs in relation to the interest at stake and the complexity.
Which documents do I send first?
The contract, the most important letter and a short timeline are a good start. In a payment dispute, add an overview of the relevant payments. Additional documents can then be requested in a targeted way.
Request an assessment
Contact Arslan Advocaten. Mention Nijmegen, your role as tenant or landlord and whether it concerns a room, a self-contained home or business premises. State the next deadline, so that the urgency is immediately clear.