How does it actually work at the Rent Assessment Committee, and what is a Committee exactly? Read the following article and get your answers.
What is the Rent Assessment Committee?
A Committee is an association of a group of specially selected people who jointly carry out a specific task. The Rent Assessment Committee is thus composed of people who are particularly skilled in the field of tenancy law, which means they have the competences to make decisions regarding tenancy litigations.
The Rent Assessment Committee is reminiscent of the court of justice and their function and composition in many ways. However, in the ordinary court of justice, all types of cases are dealt with, while the Rent Assessment Committee only deals with tenant-law issues.
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Why should you get help from DIGURA?
Every month, we help thousands of tenants both via our membership solution and our case processing. When we process the cases, we achieve a positive result for the tenants in 98% of the cases. We are here to help you who are potentially being deceived by your landlord, and you who actually want to keep the money you are entitled to.
- Free assessment of case
- Risk free and no hassle
- No Cure No Pay
Which cases are being processed at the Rent Assessment Committee?
All Danish municipalities have an assigned Rent Assessment Committee where up to several municipalities share these. Each individual Rent Assessment Committee deal with tenant-law issues within the municipalities assigned to the Rent Assessment Committee. As stated above, only tenant-law litigations are processed at a Rent Assessment Committee. Therefore, the Rent Assessment Committees are specialized in the area of tenancy law. This is both practical in terms of relieving the ordinary court system as well as the individuals working at the Committee, who become so specialized in tenancy law, that they must be considered as highly competent in making decisions regarding tenancy litigations.
The types of cases processed at the Rent Assessment Committee concern, among other things, the following conditions:
- Terms of the rental agreement
- Maintenance
- Rent increase
- Deposit and prepaid rent
- On account payments
- Good manners and order
Pro tip
It costs DKK 312 (2019 price) to file a case with the Rent Assessment Committee. It is an expense that you will not get back. If you have your case processed by DIGURA, we will cover this expense for you.
Who is on the Rent Assessment Committee?
The Housing Regulations Act determines that the Rent Assessment Committee must consist of 3 experts. Among these 3 there is a chairman who is legally trained. It is a requirement that the President is independent. Thus, the chairman may not be affiliated with landlord or tenant organizations or have commercial interest in real estate transactions. In addition, the other two must be familiar with rental conditions. These are chosen by the larger tenant and landlord associations in the municipalities associated with the Rent Assessment Committee. This composition ensures that the interests of all parties are safeguarded and in the light of this, the chairman can make a legally independent decision on the cases. In cases of violation of the property’s rules of good practice and house order, a fourth member is associated. The fourth member is a social expert elected by the municipal council. The task of the social expert is to ensure that the necessary social considerations are taken into account in these types of cases.
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How long does it take to process a case at the Rent Assessment Committee?
It depends on the individual case how long the process will take. Below, the general rules for how long it takes to process a case will be reviewed, so you know what to expect. The process will begin when the mendatory amount of DKK 312 (2019) has been paid in order to have a case set up and the Rent Assessment Committee. Once the complaintant has filed his complaint, the counterparty usually has to respond within two weeks. Subsequently, the complaintant has two weeks to respond to the counterparty’s answer and to indicate whether they wish to proceed with the case.Thereafter, the caseworker must asses whether further information is needed. This may include witness inquiries or inspection of the lease. After this, the Rent Assessment Committee must make a decision. Both you and the landlord will receive the decision together with an explanatory statement and a complaint guidance. If you wish to appeal, this must be done within four weeks of receiving the decision to the Housing Court. The Housing Court will once again make a decision. However, citizens of the City of Copenhagen must first complain to the Appeals Committee of the Copenhagen Rent Assessment Committee before the case is brought before the Housing Court. Since there are many deadlines, a case may very well be long of duration. Especially, if the case also has to go through the Housing Court. However, a case can also be settled very quickly if the landlord responds quickly. At DIGURA, we strive for a case not to drag on because of us. In addition, we will always seek to resolve the dispute through dialogue with the landlord before taking it to the Rent Assessment Committee, as it will be easiest and quickest for all parties.
