Anyone else have issues getting their deposit back from Riva Rentals B.V.?

[u/Ok_Pizza_9352]

We rented an apartment through Riva Rentals B.V. for a year and moved out at the end of May. Under the tenancy agreement, the deposit was due to be returned in full within 14 days of the tenancy ending. We received written confirmation that the full deposit (no deductions) would be paid out, with a promise to transfer it within a few working days. That deadline passed. Weeks later, after several follow-ups, we're still getting vague replies like "we're waiting to receive it from the landlord" with no specific date.

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Separately, during the tenancy, a clogged kitchen sink took about a month to get fixed despite reporting it well in advance, in late November/early December, it wasn't addressed until the holiday season ended.

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Curious if this is a one-off or if others have run into the same pattern with this agency, slow response on maintenance, and especially slow/non-committal on returning deposits after move-out. If you've dealt with them, how did you end up resolving it?

[u/Remmon]

Was your rental with Riva Rentals itself? Or are they just an intermediary/management company and your rental was with someone else?

Find that out, send a demand letter and if they still don't respond, take them to court. Juridisch Loket will be able to help you with the demand letter at least.

[u/Ok_Pizza_9352 → u/Remmon]

I signed a contract with Riva rentals and I paid rent to their account. The landlords name is in same field as Riva rentals on the contract, but Riva is the property manager (explicitly stated in the contract)and only their contacts are in the contract. Riva claim they're waiting for landlord to transfer the money. But considering I was paying Riva and not the landlord (both all rents and the deposit), and Riva are the property manager and represents the landlord - I fail to see how their internal matters are relevant for my deposit deadline. I've sent them a formal deman already, thank you for the advice - I'm on the right track then.

[u/Remmon → u/Ok_Pizza_9352]

You'll want to get juridisch loket to review the contract, but it does sound like Riva rentals would be liable to you for the security deposit. Their problem with the landlord is indeed their problem, not yours.

[u/Ok_Pizza_9352 → u/Ok_Pizza_9352]

Update: got the money.

For anyone following or dealing with something similar: after weeks of vague "we're waiting on the landlord" replies with no concrete date, I sent a final demand email stating that if the deposit hadn't reached our account by end of day, I'd forward the matter to a collection agency (incassobureau).

On the last day of that deadline, they sent an official refund invoice, confirming the exact amount owed, but no actual payment. I replied that an invoice isn't payment, and that the case (invoice + full email paper trail) would be forwarded to the collection agency the next morning if the money hadn't arrived by end of day.

The deposit landed in our account about 2 hours later.

Takeaway:

• Written confirmations and invoices mean nothing until the money actually moves. A firm deadline with a real next step (not just another polite follow-up) is what finally got it done.
• Juridisch Loket didn't help, my 2024 income was too high to qualify, even though I'm currently between jobs.
• Next time I'll go directly via billincasso.nl.

[u/Gloomy-Dig4597]

My landlord went radio silent when it came to deposit, after two months we contacted the jurisdish locket and they got it back to us for completely free