Rent indexation unrealistically high
Does an agreed rent indexation always apply? The District Court of The Hague ruled on 4 May 2023, ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2023:8786, that a rent indexation based on the change in the CBS CPI could not be increased. The rent increase was unrealistically high.
The rental agreement stated that the rent would be indexed annually in accordance with the commonly used indexation clause. The indexation was based on the change in the CPI of Statistics Netherlands. On this basis, the rent would be increased by 14.5% with effect from 1 January 2023. The reason for the sharp increase is that energy prices had risen very substantially as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Statistics Netherlands had meanwhile announced that it had adopted a new calculation method for rent indexation, as a result of which a lower percentage would apply from June 2023. According to the court, the fact that Statistics Netherlands would not apply the new method until June 2023 does not mean that the old method should still be used. According to the court, it is sufficiently plausible in advance that the application of the old calculation method as of 1 January 2023 has led to an excessively high, unrealistic price index figure.
The landlord’s claim to increase the rent on the basis of indexation based on the change in the CBS CPI was rejected by the court.
It follows from this ruling that an agreed rent indexation is not inviolable, despite the fact that it has been agreed in black and white.
Ludwig & Van Dam lawyers, franchise legal advice.
Do you want to respond? Then email to dolphijn@ludwigvandam.nl
Other messages
Bankrupt because the franchisor refused to sell the franchise company – dated January 28, 2020 – mr. AW Dolphin
The District Court of The Hague has dealt with a request from a franchisor to declare a franchisee bankrupt.
Prescribed shop fitting – dated January 28, 2020 – mr. AW Dolphin
The Midden-Nederland District Court has ruled on whether a franchisee is obliged to carry the shop fittings prescribed by the franchisor.
Ludwig & Van Dam attorneys summon Sandd and PostNL on behalf of the Sandd franchisees – dated 9 January 2020 – mr. AW Dolphin
The Association of Franchisees of Sandd (VFS) has today summoned Sandd and PostNL before the court in Arnhem. The VFS believes that Sandd and PostNL are letting the franchisees down hard.
Article The National Franchise Guide: “Why joint and several liability, for example, next to private?” – dated 7 January 2020 – mr. AW Dolphin
Franchisees are often asked to co-sign the franchise agreement in addition to their franchise, for example. Sometimes franchisees refuse to do so and the franchise agreement is not signed.
Ludwig & Van Dam Advocaten assists Sandd franchisees: Franchisees Sandd challenge postal monopoly in court – dated 12 November 2019 – mr. AW Dolphin
The Association of Franchisees of Sandd (VFS) is challenging the decision of State Secretary Mona Keijzer to approve the postal merger between PostNL and Sandd before the court in Rotterdam.
Franchisee trapped by non-compete clause? – dated October 21, 2019 – mr. AW Dolphin
The District Court of East Brabant has ruled that a franchisee was still bound by the non-competition clause in the event of premature termination of the franchise agreement.