The Haagse Stadspartij has submitted written questions regarding abuses by rental intermediaries targeting international students in The Hague. The reported abuses involve “Student Housing The Hague” and “Student Housing Hunter,” both accused of charging illegal mediation fees and violating the law by representing both the tenant and the landlord.
On September 19, 2024, the Leiden University Weekly Mare published the article “Want to see the rental contract? Then first transfer €1200.” This article revealed that some international students are pressured to pay €1200 in mediation fees before they can receive a rental contract, despite the Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that a mediator cannot represent both the tenant and the landlord.
The elderman has been asked whether he is aware of these practices and if they consider them desirable. The Haagse Stadspartij emphasizes that international students are particularly vulnerable to these abuses because they often rely on rental intermediaries recommended by their university. “Student Housing The Hague” is recommended to international students on the Leiden University website. “It is unacceptable that international students, who are already in a vulnerable position, are exposed to these practices. The elderman must take action now and tackle these scandalous abuses decisively!”
Tim de Boer from the Haagse Stadspartij points out the Supreme Court ruling that a mediator cannot represent interests for both the tenant and the landlord. “We want to know why this law is not being enforced in The Hague and what concrete steps the municipality will take to tackle these illegal practices hard!” says Tim de Boer.
Data obtained from the Chamber of Commerce shows that the owner of “Student Housing The Hague” and “Student Housing Hunter” is also responsible for the company “Rent Return.” Rent Return offers services claiming to help tenants reclaim high rents, illegal mediation fees, and excessive deposits. The Haagse Stadspartij wonders how it is possible that the same person who illegally charges landlords mediation fees is then ‘helping’ tenants reclaim these costs through Rent Return. “Does the council not find it very cynical that the landlord who is at fault is simultaneously ‘helping’ tenants deal with bad landlords?” Tim de Boer asks.
“These abuses are appalling! The council must now take action to protect international students from these practices by informing them about their rights in the rental market and organizing office hours on the campuses of The Hague University, Leiden University, and KABK,” says Fatima Faïd, city council member for the Haagse Stadspartij.
Written Questions: Invalid Rental Mediation: Abuses by Student Housing The Hague. Submitted by: Fatima Faïd, Hague City Party
Date: October 10, 2024
To the Chair of the City Council,
On September 19, 2024, the Leiden University Weekly “Mare” published the article “Want to see the rental contract? Then first transfer €1,200” (see attachment). This article sheds light on the abuses surrounding “Student Housing The Hague” and “Student Housing Hunter.”
In accordance with Article 30 of the Rules of Procedure, council member Fatima Faïd (Hague City Party) poses the following questions:
- Is the council aware of the abuses mentioned in the Mare article? Are there reports about this landlord known to the municipality?
Leiden University advises its international students to use the services of “Student Housing The Hague” via their website (see attachment). As a result, international students are pressured to pay €1,200 as mediation fees for a room.
- Does the council find it desirable that international students have to pay €1,200 for mediation fees for a room? If not, what amount does the council consider acceptable?
Further investigation and data from the Chamber of Commerce show that both “Student Housing The Hague” and “Student Housing Hunter” are registered under the same owner. Additionally, both companies are violating the law by acting as a mediator for both the tenant and the landlord. The Supreme Court has ruled that a mediator legally cannot “serve two masters” (ruling from 2015).
- Is the council aware of the Supreme Court ruling regarding the prohibition on “serving two masters”?
- Can the council explain how the Supreme Court ruling is enforced in practice?
- To what extent can enforcement occur under the legislation introduced last year?
The Woonbond, an interest organization for tenants and housing seekers, states that it is highly likely that the mediation fees are illegal: “It does not matter what these costs are called; the essence is that mediation fees can only be charged when the tenant has explicitly commissioned mediation.”
- Does the council agree with the statements from the Woonbond?
- Is the council planning to discuss the mentioned abuses with Leiden University? If not, why not?
- Can the council hold Leiden University accountable for ensuring that only reliable and legal rental companies are recommended to students?
Additional data from the Chamber of Commerce shows that the owner also operates the company and website “RentReturn.nl.” Various services are offered on the Rent Return website, primarily focused on helping tenants reclaim money from landlords, such as high rents, illegal mediation fees, and excessive deposits (see attachment).
- Does the council agree with the Hague City Party that it is quite cynical for a landlord who is at fault to simultaneously ‘help’ tenants tackle bad landlords? If so, are there steps the council can take against this?
- Can the council explain how the municipality oversees companies like “Student Housing The Hague,” “Student Housing Hunter,” and “Rent Return” to ensure they comply with the law and do not disadvantage tenants?
- Are there plans for a campaign or information provision to tenants about recognizing fraud and protecting their rights in the rental market?
- Can the council organize office hours on the campuses of The Hague University, Leiden University, and KABK to help students directly with their questions about renting in The Hague? If not, why not?
Article in Dutch: https://haagsestadspartij.nl/misstanden-bij-verhuurbemiddeling-voor-internationale-studenten/
Fatima Faïd – Haagse Stadspartij
Other articles about the Leiden University in The Hague:
Foreign students squeezed for money by university and housing corporation