Renting a house
As an international in the Netherlands you will most likely rent a house or apartment. Basically there are two types of rentals: social renting through a housing association and private renting through a real estate agent. In both cases be aware of the composition of the rent. The rent can include or exclude the cost for gas, water and electricity and in social renting you might have to pay local taxes for garbage and sewer.
Houses and apartments for rent are available in three different states of furnishing:
- Bare (kaal): there are no carpets/floors, curtains, light fittings, etc., though there will probably be a fitted kitchen. Sometimes the rooms needs to be (re)painted.
- Soft-furnished (gestoffeerd): like the ‘bare’ category, but with carpets/floors, curtains and sometimes a more complete kitchen.
- Furnished (gemeubileerd): generally includes all of the above, plus furniture, appliances, cutlery, crockery, bed linen, etc.
Private rentals
Estate agents manage private rental housing. The rental price for these houses is considerably higher than accommodation found through a social housing association, but in general these houses are available for immediate tenancy and there are no requirements regarding income. The owner can however require a minimum income to make sure you can pay for the house.
Rent varies widely, but you could expect to pay the following for an unfurnished property (excluding service costs and utilities). Please check with your agent what the total monthly costs will be due to the current high costs for energy (gas, electricity).
Type of housing with rental price per month (indication):
- Studio apartment € 700 – € 900
- Two-bedroom apartment € 900 – € 1.500
- Three-bedroom terraced house € 1.100 – € 1.800
- Semi-detached house > € 1.500
- Detached house > € 1.600
Useful website for searching houses:
Housing associations
Rental houses offered by social housing associations are houses meant for people with a low or medium income. 11 housing associations have a combined website called WoningHuren, with the latest available houses. You have to register with the association as soon as possible after arrival to become entitled to a house. The procedure is explained (in multiple languages) on the website.
Be aware that there can be a waiting list, but some associations work with lottery systems where the computer randomly picks one of the people that subscribed to the house.
Rental costs for social housing are relatively low (€ 400 to € 700 per month, unfurnished). You might be eligible for housing benefit. To find out, go to the website of the Tax Authorities.