In Leiden, major repairs do not fall under chargeable service costs, but under the responsibility of the landlord (Article 7:206 BW). This applies to structural maintenance such as roof replacement, central heating boiler renewal or foundation repair in monumental buildings around the Leiden city centre, with costs exceeding €1,000 per intervention. Service costs in Leiden rental properties are limited to minor maintenance, cleaning of common areas in complexes along the Nieuwe Rijn and green management. Landlords may not pass on major maintenance via service cost items; that is unlawful and often occurs in older rental barracks in neighbourhoods such as the Professorenwijk.
Leiden tenants can challenge this at the Huurcommissie, which tests against the 'good landlord' standard with attention to local regulations such as the Leiden Housing Ordinance. Evidence with inspection reports from the municipality of Leiden or quote comparisons from local contractors. If distinguished, the landlord pays, and the tenant does not have to pay an advance. Disputes escalate to the subdistrict court in Leiden, with penalty payment risk for the landlord.
Lease agreements often specify lists of minor versus major maintenance, fitting for Leiden student houses or family apartments. Check the MJOP (Multi-Year Maintenance Plan) for planned work, such as renovations in the Maresingel neighbourhood. This prevents discussions and high bills, especially with the high rental prices in Leiden. For new construction projects such as in Leiden Bio Science Park, 10 years indivisible maintenance applies. Tenants with purchase option in transformation projects sometimes claim partly. Consult legal advice at the Juridisch Loket Leiden if in doubt. This way, you correctly separate costs and only pay your share in the Sleutelstad. (312 words)