You rent your home, and the shower head is worn, full of limescale or gives a feeble spray. Can you simply replace it, or do you need to call your landlord first? In the Netherlands, it is usually just allowed. This is what Dutch law says, and how to avoid hassle when you move out.
This is general information about Dutch rental law, not legal advice. If in doubt, check your tenancy agreement or ask your landlord.
In short
- Replacing a shower head or hose is a small change that is easy to reverse. Under Dutch law you don't need permission for that.
- Replacing 'fittings for the shower and toilet room' is listed in the Dutch Minor Repairs Decree (Besluit kleine herstellingen). So it is usually the tenant's responsibility.
- Keep the old shower head so you can put it back when you leave.
What does the law say?
Under Article 7:215 of the Dutch Civil Code, as a tenant you need written permission to change the layout of your home. There is one exception: changes that can be undone and removed at the end of the tenancy without significant cost. Swapping a shower head or shower hose usually falls under that: you unscrew it and the old one goes straight back on.
Who pays for a new shower head?
The Minor Repairs Decree lists repairs and replacements that are the tenant's responsibility. They include cheaply replacing parts that are easy to replace, such as 'fittings for the shower and toilet room' and easily replaceable tap parts. Descaling taps is also on the list. Is your shower head worn or scaled up through normal use? Then you usually replace it yourself, at your own cost.
Some housing associations also have their own maintenance list or a service package that sets out what the landlord does and what you do. It is worth checking: sometimes more is covered than you think.
When should you report it to your landlord?
Is water coming out of the wall or the pipes, or is the hot water failing? Those are not minor repairs to your shower head but possible defects in the installation. Report them to your landlord in good time.
When you move out
Under Article 7:216, you may undo your own changes before handing back the home, as long as it is returned to its original state. Want to take your new shower head with you? Then put the old one back. That is why it is smart to keep it in a bag together with its sealing washer. Want to leave the new head in place? Discuss it at the final inspection.
How to replace it
Replacing a shower head takes five minutes and usually no tools: unscrew the old one, check the rubber washer and tighten the new one by hand. The step-by-step guide is in replacing a shower head in 5 minutes. Leaking afterwards? See leaking shower head or hose.
A Besjaar shower head in your rented home
All Besjaar shower heads fit the standard half-inch connection and are fitted by hand, so when you move out you can unscrew them again without damage. If you choose a set with hose, such as the Besjaar Rain Shower with Hose, keep your old hose too. Find out which head suits you in which Besjaar shower head suits you?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to replace my shower head?
Usually not. Under Dutch law, a change you can reverse without significant cost when you leave is allowed without permission.
Does the landlord have to replace a broken shower head?
Usually not. Replacing shower fittings counts as a minor repair at the tenant's expense. Some landlords include it in a service package.
Can I take my new shower head with me when I move?
Yes, if you put the old one back. That is why it is best to keep the old head.
Besjaar makes shower heads and filters for Dutch bathrooms, from Assen. Better water, every day.