What are reasonable rental costs in a lease agreement?

Questioner

How high may rental costs be when entering into a new rental agreement for a property?

Lawyer

What do you mean by rental costs? Do you mean, for example, administration costs or brokerage costs?

Questioner

There are 'rental costs' of 200 euros on the form. Now it turns out from inquiry that this is about drawing up the contract and finding out whether we are eligible for the house. Isn't this very disproportionate? I don't know whether there are also brokerage costs.

Lawyer

So it's actually about administration and contract costs. That may be charged and is also common with private landlords, but an amount of more than 100 euros is very high. The problem is that if you don't want to pay this, you probably won't get the house.

Questioner

Thanks for your response. We are also afraid that we will not get the house. Is it possible to pay the amount first and then claim part of it back? Possibly through the court? Or is it the case that you automatically agree when you sign the contract and pay those costs?

Lawyer

You can try to get some of it back afterwards, but it is best to state 'under protest' when paying these costs.

Questioner

Thank you very much for your response. I think we should try that.