Inspection of 16 properties on Hoofdstraat in Hoensbroek during the action day

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, the municipality of Heerlen and the police inspected 16 properties on Hoofdstraat. We focused primarily on:

  • Properties with rooms for rent
  • Properties for which complaints of disturbances have been received

We want to know what’s going on behind closed doors. We also address abuses. That’s how we make the neighborhood safer and more livable.

Photo of an apartment building in Hoensbroek

There are many rental properties on Hoofdstraat. Some of these properties are vacant or dilapidated. Vulnerable people who Health live in the neighborhood. Our approach focuses on Health safety, prevention and enforcement, a person-centered approach, and a community-centered approach. The municipality conducts regular inspections in this area.

Results of the Day of Action

The day of action was part of the “Socially Safe” initiative. On the one hand, we took enforcement action, and on the other, we provided assistance where needed. We did not observe any major violations. However, we did identify areas of concern regarding registrations at the address and the rules governing construction and fire safety.

Three care-related requests from individuals were also brought to our attention. These were addressed by an adult services counselor from the municipality’s Access Team. We discovered a severely soiled room at a room rental agency. We agreed with the landlord to have this room cleaned.

Oversight of the Parkstad Act

We also checked whether landlords are complying with the Parkstad Act:

  • Six landlords are renting out rooms without a permit. They will receive a warning and be given time to resolve the issue.
  • Two residents are living here without a housing permit. They, too, will receive a warning.
  • At some locations, the rent may be too high. We are looking into this further.

Collaborate

The team consists of employees from the municipality of Heerlen and the police. These include building inspectors, police officers, enforcement officers (neighborhood BOAs), lawyers, population control officers, care consultants, and investigators from the intervention team.