I just received my “eindafrekening huurder” for the flat that i rented on the “gelijksvloers”.

They have added the maintenance/repair costs for the lift to the total sum that i owe. I tried to google for help, because this seemed sketchy, since the lift didn’t go the cellar and i never used it because i lived on the groundfloor.

They also added the insurance cost of the owner to the mix, which also seems odd, as i was paying my insurance costs per year.

Any help is appreciated.

PS: [Kosten lasten huurder/verhuurder](https://www.desyndic.be/blog/kosten-lasten-huurder-verhuurder#:~:text=Kosten%20voor%20de%20lift,ten%20laste%20van%20de%20huurder.)

7 comments

  2. In a building, cost are divided and explained in a “basis akte” deed amongst owners. So this can widely vary case by case. However this is always some form of calculation based on your share of the building. If you own more units, or a larger unit you have more shares and thus a bigger responsibility in the cost. In the end you will most likely end up paying some share of any expense. Even in the case of an elevator you aren’t using as it adds to the “cachet” of your building.

    In short: re-read the “basisakte” to understand what you’ve agreed to.

    Also this should have gone to a vote on the yearly meeting to which you agreed to as well?

  3. As a huurder you are not permitted to go to a yearly algemene vergadering unless the owner or another owner gave you a volmacht. You do are allowed to give any agenda points to talk about to the owner or the syndic.

    Anyway, any costs should already be included in the rental price except for maybe heating if you don’t have your own gas or electricity meters. In case of shared meters for the entire building, then yes, it could be stated in the contract you should pay your share next to the rental price. Normally in such cases you are also paying monthly advances for this and those could be calculated in the rental price, check your contract.

    The insurance ment for the building is only for the building and commons, if you have your own insurance covering only the inside of your appartment, you don’t need to pay the owner anything extra as it should be included in the rental price. If it’s not, probably the owner is trying to scam you. Same thing for the elevator costs.

  5. The repair costs of the lift, unless you broke it, are never ever yours to pay, nor is the owner’s insurance. They’re trying to scam you.

    Edit: jeezes, people, look it up instead of downvoting me. Major repairs are never to be paid by tenants.

  6. It all depends on what’s stipulated in your rental contract.

    Whatever the owner agreed with the syndicus is not really yours to decide. You signed a contract and if it’s stipulated there that these costs can be put on you, you will have to pay. If it’s not included, you should not pay.

    So your contract probably says rent €x + €x for ‘added costs’ (incl. electricity…). Any other thing they ask you to pay, is subject of debate as it is not mentioned in the contract.

    I would suggest to contact the huurdersbond and ask for advice. My first idea is you shouldn’t pay for the maintenance/repair of the elevator since this is of a structural nature and not due to your ‘use’ only. Elevator costs (yearly maintenance) are also foreseeable so if the owner wanted you to pay for it, he should have mentioned it in the contract. Same for the insurance (probably brandverzekering). But not a legal professional so ask the huurdersbond to be sure.

  7. It’s not because you don’t use a lift that you don’t benefit from the periodic maintenance and inspection. If the engine catches fire through because the maintenance was neglected I imagine you wouldn’t be happy.

    I would 100% expect for all costs to be divided equally among the people in a block, no matter which floor they’re on.

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