Housing agencies are still charging tenants fees, despite court ruling

Some 70% of rental housing agencies are still charging new tenants fees even though this is not allowed by law, broadcaster NOS said at the weekend, quoting the Dutch competition authority ACM. In 2015, the Dutch supreme court ruled that housing agents who charge home owners a fee to advertise their property may not also charge tenants a fee for finding them a home. ‘Whether you call it ‘courtage’, administration costs, key money or mediation fees, it is not allowed,’...