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Charges for tenant for 3 years ago
Hi, I'm leaving the apartment I'm renting at the end of the month. Few weeks ago the landlord said he has just received an invoice for charges from 2011-2013 that the company managing our building sent and that I should pay them.
He sent me 2 invoices with details, and it is water, heating,etc. but one invoice was from January and he had never mentioned it.
He also said he would pay one of them, so I am just a bit suspicious...I have asked him to also show me the summary of cost for my first year there, 2010, but he seems to be avoiding that..so what shall I do? I intended to pay but ... What if I wasn't living there anymore? And he's just been so rude lately that he's pissing me off. Thanks in advance for advice!
Hi, there is vredegerecht (justice of peace when translated) which sorts out this kinds of arguments. Just try it. It's for free as far as I know.
I would not go directly to court as advised. Apparently, VIVIEN H MAR just learned about justice de paix and recommends it left and right while it should be last resort.
Have a look at this older thread on charges: http://www.xpats.com/common-charges-my-apartment
If you are leaving at the end of the month, legal action is a non-starter - it will be months before any action is taken.
And, if you are leaving at the end of the month the last thing you want to do is get into a disagreement with your landlord and give him a reason to look for every last cent that he can screw out of you when you go.
If you have not paid for water and heating for 2011-2013 and, in principle you agree with the bills, you have no moral right to refuse to pay even though the bills should have been presented long ago. Also I am unsure what you have to be suspicious about - you don't make it clear.
If the landlord is offering to pay one of the bills perhaps he is just accepting that it is unreasonable to present you with historical bills.
