Since late 2024, Veste Wonen has been planning to replace traditional locks with a digital locking system. In practice, this means physical keys would be replaced by a smartphone app. The plans sparked controversy among residents and even prompted questions in the Dutch parliament. Students raised concerns about privacy, ease of use, and the decision-making process. At the time, Veste Wonen rejected those criticisms.
Nevertheless, the housing association decided to postpone the installation of the digital locks, make adjustments to the system, and roll out the project in phases across campus. Around 900 housing units now have the digital locking system installed, representing roughly 30 per cent of all campus accommodation, according to communications officer Amber Groothuis.
Legal proceedings
Some campus residents, however, remain unwilling to make the switch. Under the current procedure, they can formally object. In an email sent this month to a number of residents, Veste Wonen announced legal action. ‘In consultation with several tenants who have lodged objections, Veste Wonen is initiating this legal procedure,’ the housing association told U-Today. ‘The aim is to establish whether it is permissible to replace the locking system for these tenants during an existing tenancy agreement.’
As a result, the ‘key gate’ that first emerged nearly two years ago is entering a new phase. It is not yet clear when the hearing will take place. What is clear is that the case concerns only residents with ongoing tenancy agreements. For new tenants, the digital locking system is included as part of their rental contract, meaning they will automatically receive the new locks.
‘Independent ruling’
For current residents, the situation is different. ‘Through these legal proceedings, we want clarity on the conditions under which the digital locking system may be introduced during an ongoing tenancy agreement. We are asking the court to assess separately the replacement of locks on shared entrance doors and on individual apartment doors,’ Veste Wonen said. In the current situation, students within the same housing unit can have different locking systems. According to the housing association, this is undesirable. ‘The replacement is necessary to safeguard security and continuity.’
That is the central issue in the court case: a housing association seeking a uniform digital locking system across all campus residences, versus residents who object to the change. ‘We are asking the court for an independent ruling on the implementation of the system in occupied homes with ongoing tenancy agreements, and on what is reasonable and careful with regard to tenants,’ Veste Wonen stated.
How are residents responding to the new locks?
How satisfied are campus residents with the new digital locks? According to communications officer Amber Groothuis, it is not yet possible to draw representative conclusions about overall support. ‘The rollout is taking place in phases. Among current users, we receive few reports, questions, or technical issues,’ she says.
The Central Tenants Council Drienerlo was unavailable for comment.
