The tenants brought their case to the Rental committee because they believed that Camelot’s service costs were too high, inappropriate and irreducible. “Since Camelot disagrees with the Rental committee, this case was brought to the district court,” the judge said. He is completely surrounded by boxes and folders filled with paper. “That folder contains a detailed account of the costs,” Camelot’s lawyer says. The landlord is still referred to as Camelot in this court case, even though the company has changed its name into Plaza Resident Services (PRS).

Camelot’s lawyer says that there’s a logical explanation for the high service costs in Luna: “it’s a very large building that requires much cleaning, there’s a caretaker, electricity is required. Everything is substantiated with invoices.” The lawyer who represents the tenants takes a different view: “I didn’t have enough time to go through all the documents, but I’ll mention a few things here in court. Why does Camelot charge costs for central heating boilers? They’re part of the building’s brick walls and should therefore be considered basic rent. And tenants shouldn’t have to pay for the removal of a spiderweb from a camera lens, or for cleaning up vomit.”

Camelot handed the documents over to the court ten days before the first court session, which is late, the judge stresses. And that isn’t the first time, according to the judge. “My colleague in Enschede gave you a slap on the wrist because of this before.” But he also tells the lawyer representing the tenants to be clearer: “do you want more time or do you want a ruling in this case?” The tenants’ lawyer requested an adjournment, to which Camelot doesn’t object. The tenants’ lawyer has until January 26 to indicate in writing which points in the file regarding the service costs he doesn’t agree with, after which Camelot will be given four weeks to respond. Both parties will not be granted a deferment. Cursor will continue to follow the case.