Beleidsboek Leges 2026 – Huurcommissie Policy on Procedure Fees
The Beleidsboek Leges (also known as the Legesnotitie) is the official policy document issued by the Huurcommissie (Dutch Rent Tribunal) detailing the administrative fees (leges) applicable to disputes between tenants and landlords in the Netherlands. This January 2026 edition replaces previous versions and establishes the executive policy for fee collection, exemptions, and refunds. The document operates under the legal framework of the Uitvoeringswet huurprijzen woonruimte (Uhw) and the Besluit huurprijzen woonruimte (Bhw).
The policy governs the financial requirements for initiating procedures, covering dispute categories such as rent assessments, maintenance defects, service charges, and collective requests. It provides specific thresholds for advance payments, defines the criteria for the gedifferentieerd legestarief (differentiated fee structure) for landlords, and outlines the evidence required for fee exemptions based on minimum income levels. Detailed sections address the role of the Centraal Justitieel Incasso Bureau (CJIB) in fee recovery and the application of hardheidsclausules (hardship clauses) to mitigate fees in exceptional circumstances.
This document serves as the regulatory reference for calculating procedure costs, determining the allocation of fees in final verdicts, and identifying the procedural steps for appealing fee-related decisions through verzet (opposition) or the kantonrechter (subdistrict court).
Advance Payments and Standard Fees
Under Article 7 lid 1 Uhw, a party initiating a procedure at the Huurcommissie must pay an advance fee. These amounts are fixed by the Besluit huurprijzen woonruimte.
- Tenants: A standard advance of €25 applies.
- Landlords: A standard advance of €500 applies.
- Wohv procedures: Disputes under the Wet overleg huurders verhuurder require a fixed, non-refundable fee of €100.
- Liberalized advice: Requests for advice on liberalized rental prices involve a non-refundable fee of €25 for tenants and €500 for landlords.
Payment must be received within four weeks of the payment request. Failure to pay within this term results in the request being declared niet-ontvankelijk (inadmissible) via a voorzittersuitspraak (chairman's ruling).
Exemptions and Minimum Income Requirements
Natural persons with a low income may apply for a vrijstelling (exemption) from paying fees. For the year 2025, the document defines the minimum income thresholds as follows:
- Single-person household: €22,700 per year.
- Multi-person household: €30,450 per year.
To qualify, applicants must provide specific evidence, such as a definitieve beschikking huurtoeslag (final rent subsidy decision) including the gezamenlijk toetsingsinkomen (joint taxable income) from Mijntoeslagen.nl. Alternatively, proof of receiving bijstand (social assistance), AIO-aanvulling, or a Wajong benefit is accepted if the document is not older than six months.
Fee Allocation in Verdicts (Legesveroordeling)
The final ruling by the Huurcommissie determines which party is ultimately responsible for the fees based on the outcome of the dispute.
- Full Success: If the petitioner is fully successful, their advance is refunded, and the opposing party is ordered to pay the full fee via the CJIB.
- Partial Success: If both parties are partially successful, each is responsible for half of the applicable fee.
- Unsuccessful: The petitioner loses their advance payment and receives no refund.
Differentiated Rates for Landlords
To discourage repeated errors, a gedifferentieerd legestarief (higher fee) applies to landlords who are fully unsuccessful in multiple cases within a three-year period.
- Second loss: Fee increases to €700.
- Third loss: Fee increases to €1,400.
- Fourth or subsequent loss: Fee increases to €1,750.
This applies to specific case types, including initial rent assessments (Article 7:249 BW) and the splitting of all-in prices (Article 7:258 BW).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard procedure fee for a tenant?
A tenant typically pays an advance fee of €25 to initiate a procedure at the Huurcommissie.
When can a petitioner get a refund of their advance fee?
A refund is granted if the petitioner is fully or partially successful in the final ruling, or if the request is withdrawn within three weeks after the investigation report is sent.
What happens if the advance fee is not paid on time?
The Huurcommissie will declare the case inadmissible (niet-ontvankelijk), meaning the dispute will not be handled on its merits.
What income documents are required for a fee exemption in 2026?
Applicants must provide a final rent subsidy decision along with the joint taxable income (toetsingsinkomen) retrieved from Mijntoeslagen.nl, or proof of a social assistance benefit.
Is interest charged on unpaid fees?
Yes, statutory interest (wettelijke rente) is applicable from the moment the Huurcommissie or the debtor is in default of payment.
How are fees handled in collective requests for housing complexes?
Under Article 9a Uhw, fees can be mitigated for collective requests involving at least 25 dwellings where at least half of the tenants participate, often resulting in lower individual costs.
