Leenkosten

Leenkosten is a term used to describe the total cost a borrower pays to obtain and service a loan over its term. They include the interest charged on the borrowed amount as well as various fees and charges imposed by the lender. The exact composition varies by loan type and jurisdiction, but common elements are interest, origination or administration fees, closing costs, and any mandatory insurances or appraisals required to secure the loan.

Key components often appearing in leenkosten are: the nominal interest rate on the loan, one-time or recurring fees (such as origination or service fees), appraisal or notary costs, mandatory insurances (for example, credit life or property insurance in mortgage loans), and any penalties for late payment or early repayment. Some costs may be paid upfront, while others are spread over the life of the loan through higher periodic payments. For certain loan structures, there may also be penalties for paying off the loan early or for currency conversions in international lending.

To compare leenkosten across offers, lenders typically present an annual percentage rate or annual cost percentage (in the Netherlands known as Jaarlijks Kostenpercentage, JKP), which reflects the true yearly cost of borrowing when fees are included. This allows borrowers to assess the overall affordability of different loans beyond the stated interest rate.

Regulatory frameworks often require clear disclosure of leenkosten to protect consumers, including limits on certain fees and standardized methods for calculating and presenting the annual cost. In practice, borrowers should examine both the interest rate and the associated fees, and consider how changes in fees or rates would affect long-term affordability.