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Landlord problems

Question

Hi,

I have moved out of the apartment some time ago. The landlord did etat des lieux de sortie, which resulted in nearly 1,500 EUR damages. I was stupid enough to sign the document, which is my fault. Afterwards he started sending me letters with demands to pay. I replied that in principle I can pay, but he has to provide me with actual bills for provision. I paid a provision each month to cover for water, cleaning of the corridor, etc. The contract states that each year he has to give me recalculation of actual expenditures. During 5 years in the apartment he never did it (and I never asked, also stupidly). But he completely ignores my demand to provide the bills and just asks for payment. Now after nearly 6 month he sent me a letter where he reduced the amount of damages claimed from 1,500 EUR to around 800 EUR, but still no mention about the bills.

What can I do? I went to lawyer and by law the landlord is obliged to show me the bills, but he can also show them in court, if he choses to go to court. He can also not go to court for several years.

What are my options? To pay or continue asking him for the bills of actual consumption? I suspect the landlord owes me some money and does not want to pay.

Any advise would be helpful!
Thanks.

retiredchef

You can take him to court too, go to your local Justice and ask them for advice. They are very helpful, and will perhaps help you to send an letter to your landlord in legal terms telling him of your rights too.Good luck, you can win I just did.

May 23, 2014 17:22
mx

To my local Justice? How is it called in french/dutch? You mean to the commune?

May 25, 2014 09:43
retiredchef

Thanks R, I have been busy this weekend and had not realised I had not put in more details, if you google Justice de Paix you will get everything needed.

May 25, 2014 18:03
mx

Thanks, do they speak English? I now live in a Dutch speaking commune, but the appartment I rented was in French speaking commune...

May 26, 2014 07:47
retiredchef

It will be in the previous Commune, perhaps you could get a French speaking friend or colleague to help you. they will probably at least start in French so an idea if you can too.

May 26, 2014 08:18
avande

Hi,
Me too in a similar position, and my landlord keeps threatening me of legal action but doesn't give me the bills.
Please update any information that you may find and so will I.

Good Luck.

May 26, 2014 11:00
R

Avande,

you should send a registered letter to your landlord requesting officially the breakdown of your charges using as reference the article that should be present in your rental contract or the official version coming from the Code de Logement.

Have a look at this link at page 40 to 43
http://justice.belgium.be/fr/binaries/loyer-2013-FR_tcm421-142585.pdf

May 26, 2014 11:55
mx

FYI - I sent registered letter to my landlord (twice) asking him for breakdown of charges with reference to the contract. No response from him. But he sent me a registered letter demanding me to pay for alleged damages in etat des lieux de sortie

May 26, 2014 12:42