Landlords Jan Vissers and Emre Ayaz, who collectively own 51 properties and rooms across the province of Brabant, are accused of intimidating their tenants. These tenants are often not from the Netherlands and may be unaware of their rights, according to an investigation by Woeste Grond.
Toilet Removed in Dispute
Recent events at a property on Bachlaan in Tilburg-Noord illustrate the alleged tactics. A plumber was dispatched to remove a toilet, reportedly at the instruction of Emre Ayaz of EA Vastgoed. Ayaz allegedly told the plumber to state the removal was due to a leak.
The removal of the toilet followed previous attempts to pressure the tenants, including letters threatening disconnection of electricity and water and the disabling of WiFi access. Three of the five original tenants have since left the property, citing the intimidation as the reason.
Property Ownership and Complaints
Vissers and Ayaz are responsible for 36 properties and apartments in Tilburg, 10 in Eindhoven, 4 in Den Bosch, and 1 in Breda. Most of these properties have been divided into smaller rooms to maximize profit. Vissers also owns commercial buildings and properties in Nijmegen, Zaltbommel, Hedel, and along the Dutch coast.
Tenants Beata, originally from Poland, and Javi, from Spain, have lived in the Bachlaan property for years. They have a social housing contract with the previous owner, which they say protects them from rent increases sought by Vissers.
Huurrechtadvocaat Carlo Welten has assisted the tenants, intervening to prevent the disconnection of water and electricity on at least one occasion. Over the past four years, at least 21 cases have been filed with the Huurcommissie (Rent Commission) against the two landlords, with the landlords losing 18 of those cases. They have also repeatedly refused to provide tenants with service cost statements.
Limited Response from Authorities
The municipality of Tilburg held a “stopgesprek” (halt talk) last March to address the violations. A financial penalty was issued to one of the landlords earlier this year for violating the Wet goed verhuurderschap (Good Landlordship Act). Police have visited the Bachlaan property multiple times, but Beata reports being directed back and forth between the police and the municipality.
As of twelve days after the toilet’s removal, it has not been replaced. Beata fears further action and states, “He treats us like animals. We have to move or we will live in filth.”
Responses
Vissers and Ayaz were contacted for comment but did not respond to phone calls or written inquiries. Jan Vissers briefly responded via WhatsApp: ‘Everything you are talking about is not true. No stopgesprek, no intimidation and no administrative fine.’
Frequently Asked Questions
What actions have the landlords taken against tenants?
The landlords have reportedly threatened to disconnect electricity and water, disabled WiFi access, and had a toilet removed from a property, according to reports from Woeste Grond.
How many properties are owned by Vissers and Ayaz?
The pair are collectively responsible for 51 properties and rooms across Brabant, including 36 in Tilburg, 10 in Eindhoven, 4 in Den Bosch, and 1 in Breda.
What has been the response from local authorities?
The municipality of Tilburg held a “stopgesprek” and issued a financial penalty, but tenants report feeling that authorities are unable to effectively intervene.
What responsibility do municipalities have in protecting vulnerable tenants from exploitative landlords?
