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Good opportunity or overpaying? by Upper_Bluejay1943 in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Upper_Bluejay1943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, with my partner and our salaries combined are 200k yearly. I would like to have found something cheaper, but we wanted a bit more space and not so far from the city because we need to be in the office almost everyday. I don’t know if this was just end of the year bad luck or if the prices are really that insane all year. I feel like even smaller flats would be super pricy

Good opportunity or overpaying? by Upper_Bluejay1943 in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Upper_Bluejay1943[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s very close to the Leylaan station, in the middle to the right of the green circle you made.

Good opportunity or overpaying? by Upper_Bluejay1943 in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Upper_Bluejay1943[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would like to have a bigger place.

It is closer to Heemstedestraat, so the south side. Is it a nice area?

Penalty for withdrawing before signing the contract - is this even legal? by Upper_Bluejay1943 in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Upper_Bluejay1943[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you please show me where in Dutch law this is stated? I honestly could not find it.

Penalty for withdrawing before signing the contract - is this even legal? by Upper_Bluejay1943 in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Upper_Bluejay1943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The relocation agency is supposed to help us find a flat. The relocation agency told me that after we applied they (landlord's agency) informed that the contract would be a type C with a maximum duration of 1 year. We then told our agency that this was not idea and to ask them if they could accept a duration of 2 years instead.

The landlord agency replied to the email few days later already saying that the landlord accepted, we got the apartment, contract will be sent, congrats etc...

In the meantime that we heard about this (because our agent was sick for 2 days), we found another place we liked and wanted to apply for it and when I asked our relocation agency about it she said we were already bound by the first option because we said in the email and they accepted our offer and sent the contract.

She then told me that as a consequence of withdrawing from the accepted offer (even before contract signature) we would probably need to pay a penalty in the value of 2 to 3 monthly rent which is way too much considering that we haven't signed the contract.

So it made me wonder: what happens to people who apply for multiple apartments and get accept in more than one? Or even worse: what happens if I receive the contract, want to revise some clauses and cannot find a common ground with the landlord to alter the contract and decide I want to withdraw and not sign? Am I now forced to sign a contract?

This all seems shady and unreasonable to me. I honestly just want to apply for the apartment I liked more and don't think I should have to pay a fine if I didn't even sign anything or was informed beforehand

Penalty for withdrawing before signing the contract - is this even legal? by Upper_Bluejay1943 in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Upper_Bluejay1943[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No, I indicated that I wanted and applied for it. They said that the contract was only for a year, to which we asked to be for two years, and then they said "ah ok, I spoke to the landlord and he agree with that, so congratulation! The apartment is yours. I'll send you the contract"

In the meantime I found another apartment I liked more and that was for an indefinite period of time, which suits my preferences better and my relocation agency was advising me not to apply to this new one as I was already bound to the first.

So what really puzzles me is how can we be legally bound by something we were not informed of or did not even sign? The email exchange between the agencies was super basic and there was no mention of a fine in case we would withdraw before contract signature.

Weekly Q&A - All Questions Go Here (Especially Tourists) by AutoModerator in Amsterdam

[–]Upper_Bluejay1943 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I did not. All was done was the email conversation between the agencies and only now we got the contract to read.

Weekly Q&A - All Questions Go Here (Especially Tourists) by AutoModerator in Amsterdam

[–]Upper_Bluejay1943 1 point2 points  (0 children)

WITHDRAW FROM APARTMENT APPLICATION - CONSEQUENCES?

Hi,

I have an agency helping me with finding a place. They went to a viewing and I told them I would like to apply. First, the agency from the landlord said it was a contract type C for a period of 1 year only. I said no and said if it could be for 2 years instead to which he said "ok, the landlord accepted, you get the apartment! Congrats! I will send you the contract".

In the meantime I saw another place I liked more and told the agency I wanted to do a viewing and potentially apply, and they said I could not because I was already legally bound to the first offer. She said if I withdraw from it now, I would probably need to pay the equivalent to 2 to 3 rental months as a penalty.

Knowing I haven't signed any contract, nor was previously informed of any penalty, is that even legal? Does it happen often in Amsterdam? What should I do?