Illegally renting out a room, what is that?

Renting out a room illegally occurs when someone rents out or provides a room for use without having the appropriate licenses. A license to rent out a room is required if two or more people are living in rooms at the same address. Please Note: this also applies if you are renting a house with a number of friends as a joint effort. It is permitted for an owner to live at an address as the main occupant while renting out a room to one or two persons at the same address.

Illegally renting a room, what are the consequences?

Unsafe rooms
Rooms that are rented out illegally often do not meet the conditions which are imposed by the government. For example, there may be (fire) unsafe or unhygienic circumstances, machines that do not meet the requirements or the absence of escape routes and fire walls. All are examples of situations which make living unsafe.

Terminating the room rental
When the illegal renting out of a house has been established, the landlord is obliged to terminate the rental. The consequence of this might be that the tenants have nowhere to go. In the event of (life)threatening situations, the tenants can be forced to leave the house immediately.

Okay, it is illegal, so what now?In cases of nuisance, unlawful situations and for advice and information, you can turn to the following addresses:

Meld- en steunpunt woonoverlastIf you suspect irregular living conditions in a house, you can report this (anonymously) to the Reporting and Counselling Centre for Housing Nuisance (het Meld- en steunpunt woonoverlast). Telephone: 14070. The house will then be checked by inspectors from the city council. www.denhaag.nl under Meld- en steunpunt woonoverlast.

Citizen's Advise Bureau
As a resident of The Hague, you can turn to their social councillors for your questions and problems regarding social and legal matters, they have consulting hours in all urban district council buildings within the city. You can call the central telephone number for an appointment: 070-353 75 00.

Legal Aid and Advice Centre
You can turn to the Legal Aid and Advice Centre in The Hague (Juridisch Loket Den Haag) for information ranging from legal aid to other civil law matters concerning the landlord:
Herengracht 7
Telephone: 070-345 73 60
www.hetjl.nl

Jongeren Informatie Punt (Youth Information Centre)
The Youth Information Centre (JIP)) gives tips and advise to young people on finding accommodation in The Hague and surroundings.
www.jipdenhaag.nl

Law and regulations
You can contact your urban district council for more information on the legal rental of rooms and houses or you can go to www.denhaag.nl/digitaalloket and look under illegal room rental.

The urban district council buildings for the municipality of The Hague

Centre (town hall)
Spui 70
2511 BT Den Haag
Tel.: 14070

Escamp
Genemuidenstraat 208
2545 NZ Den Haag
Tel.: 070-353 5900

Haagse Hout
Loudonstraat 95
2593 RV Den Haag
Tel.: 070-353 5800

Laak
Slachthuisplein 25
2521 ER Den Haag
Tel.: 070-353 7700

Leidschenveen/ Ypenburg
Brigantijnlaan 303
2496 ZT Den Haag
Tel.: 14070

Loosduinen
Kleine keizer 3
2553 CV Den Haag
Tel.: 070-353 7901

Scheveningen
Scheveningseweg 303
2584 AA Den Haag
Tel.: 070-353 5666

Segbroek
Fahrenheitstraat 190
2561 EH Den Haag
Tel.: 070-353 5700

For current opening hours go towww.denhaag.nl