Dispute the exit inventory when:
- Pre-existing damage: reported damage existed before your arrival (and appears in the entry inventory)
- Normal wear and tear: you are charged for degradation due to age
- Factual errors: inaccurate description of the property’s actual condition
- Cost overestimation: claimed amounts are disproportionate
- Inspection conditions: the inventory was done in inadequate conditions (poor lighting, rushing)
| Ground | Example | Burden of proof |
|---|---|---|
| Wear and tear | Yellowed paint after 6 years | Landlord must prove abuse |
| Pre-existence | Stain already mentioned in entry inventory | Comparison of both inventories |
| Hidden defect | Mould due to insulation defect | Technical expert |
| Disproportion | €2,000 to repaint a wall | Counter-quote |
Key rule: in Belgium, normal wear and tear is not the tenant’s responsibility. Only excessive or abnormal damage can be claimed.
Our template generates:
- Reference to the disputed inventory (date, author)
- Precise points of disagreement (item by item)
- Arguments for each dispute (entry inventory, photos, wear and tear)
- Attached evidence (dated photos, entry inventory, quotes)
- Request: revision of the inventory or release of the deposit
- Response deadline (15 days)
- Mention of justice of the peace referral if no agreement
- Gather your evidence: entry inventory, photos from arrival and departure, correspondence
- Generate the letter via our tool
- Send by registered mail to the landlord (or agency)
- Propose a solution: contradictory inventory, joint expert, mediation
- If unsuccessful: request conciliation at the justice of the peace (free)
Rental deposit: as long as the dispute is unresolved, the bank will not release the deposit. Only an agreement signed by both parties or a court decision can unlock it.