How to choose a property manager in Amsterdam
Listings in this category cover two different jobs: VvE beheer, which administers an apartment building's owners' association, and vastgoedbeheer, which manages a rental unit on a landlord's behalf. Start by matching the company to the job you actually need, since the skills and paperwork barely overlap.
If you own an apartment, it already belongs to a Vereniging van Eigenaren (VvE), and some VvEs run their own affairs while others contract a manager to handle the board's financial and maintenance duties. Ask a prospective manager for a building they currently run: request the recent annual accounts (jaarcijfers) and meeting minutes (notulen) to see how they handle reserves and communicate with owners.
If you're buying into a building, get the deed of division (splitsingsakte) and the multi-year maintenance plan (meerjarig onderhoudsplan) before you sign, and check the reserve fund against what that plan says is coming. If you're still house-hunting, our Amsterdam Real Estate Agents directory and our guide on how to choose a real estate agent in Amsterdam cover that step in more detail.
Questions people ask
What is a VvE and is membership optional?
A Vereniging van Eigenaren, or VvE, is the owners' association that every apartment owner in the Netherlands automatically joins on purchase. Membership is mandatory and stays with the property, ending only when you sell and the new owner takes your place.
What does a VvE property manager actually do?
A VvE can run its own affairs through an elected board, or the board can contract an external manager to handle financial administration, maintenance and communication with owners. The board keeps the decision-making power from VvE meetings; the manager carries out the tasks the board assigns it.
How much do VvE service costs typically run?
Monthly service costs, or servicekosten, fund the maintenance reserve, building insurance and shared costs such as lighting in communal areas, and they vary with the building's age, condition and facilities. As a general guide, a modest apartment in a small block tends to run at least 100 euros a month, more in a listed building or one with a lift and other shared facilities.
What is a meerjarig onderhoudsplan and why does it matter?
It's the VvE's multi-year maintenance plan, listing scheduled work such as repainting exterior windows or roof repairs and when it's due. Check it against the reserve fund balance before buying, since a plan with no matching reserve usually means an unexpected bill for owners.
What should I check before buying into a building with a VvE?
Ask for the deed of division (splitsingsakte) and the property division regulations (splitsingsreglement), which set out your share of the building and your obligations as an owner. Also request the VvE's recent annual accounts and meeting minutes to judge whether its finances and management are in order.
Is hiring a manager for a rental different from VvE management?
Yes. VvE management covers the shared building on behalf of all owners, while a landlord hires a property manager to handle a single rental unit, covering tenants, rent and maintenance.