Thinking about studying at Inholland for a semester or a full degree? Then it's important to know that finding student housing in the Netherlands takes time. The good news is that with an early start and the right guidance, many students do successfully find a place. We recommend beginning your search at least four months before arrival. If you haven’t found housing one month before your studies begin, we strongly advise postponing your travel.
To make your housing search easier and safer, we’ve collected practical tips and resources for you. Jump straight to:
Some Inholland campuses offer rooms and studios to first-year international and exchange students through housing providers. These off-campus accommodations are a great option, but spots are limited, so it's best to apply early. While we can’t guarantee housing, we are here to guide you through the process and help you explore options.
Whether you’re coming for an exchange programme or a full degree, we’ll help you take the next step in arranging your accommodation.
As an exchange student at Inholland, you'll study with us for one semester or a full academic year via your home university. You can apply for housing arranged by Inholland near one of our campuses.
If you’re starting a full bachelor’s or associate degree at Inholland, you can rent student housing for your first academic year via Inholland. After that, you’ll need to find accommodation independently.
Inholland doesn't offer accommodation in Rotterdam or Alkmaar. However, for those looking for student housing in Alkmaar, the housing association Woonwaard rents rooms directly to students. For more guidance on finding your own student housing, check out our tips below.
At Inholland, we want to help you find a place to stay while you study with us. While we do not search for or mediate between students and providers of private accommodation, we understand that finding the right place to stay is important. That's why we compiled a list of housing platforms to kickstart your search.
Finding student housing in the Netherlands can be tricky due to high demand. To give yourself the best chance of finding accommodation, we recommend starting your search at least four months before your arrival. This way, you'll have plenty of time to explore options and find a place that fits your needs and budget.
Housing in big Dutch cities is extremely popular. To improve your chances of finding suitable accommodation, consider expanding your search radius beyond the immediate vicinity of Inholland or your preferred neighbourhood. By exploring areas slightly farther away, you may find more affordable options or less competition for housing. Remember, the Netherlands is relatively small, and excellent public transport options make it easy to access different areas, even if they're slightly further away.
Tip: Use Google Maps to explore nearby villages, cities and transport options.
Finding student housing in the Netherlands can be quite competitive. To improve your chances of finding housing on time, we recommend signing up for multiple trusted housing platforms. Here's why:
Ready to start your search?
Below, we've compiled a list of trusted housing platforms commonly used by students in the Netherlands. These platforms offer various accommodation options, from studios to shared apartments, making your search process smoother and faster.
Have you found a room or apartment you're interested in? It's a good idea to arrange a visit in person, and bringing someone along for support can be helpful. Before you go, prepare some questions for the landlord or current tenants. This way, you'll get all the information you need to make the right choice.
Remember: Always read the contract thoroughly and ask questions if anything is unclear!
Be wary of scams aimed at students seeking accommodation. Discover how to identify scams and secure safe housing with our tips below.
How to protect yourself?
If the accommodation looks too good to be true, it probably is. For example, if you found a place in the city centre, close to supermarkets and public transport that is fully furnished and unreasonably cheap, it's probably a scam.
Before working with any agency, verify their legitimacy on the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce. Just search the agency's name to confirm their registration.
Double-check the address! Make sure the property exists at the specified location and matches the description provided in the listing. Don't forget to check if the advertised photos appear in Image Search. This can help you spot fake listings and avoid scams.
Be critical and do your research. Look for online reviews or warnings about the property or landlord. This information can help you avoid scams or renting from a bad landlord.
Missing pictures can be a red flag. Scammers might use generic interior pictures or steal photos of other properties. The absence of an exterior shot makes it harder to verify if the property exists. Politely ask the landlord for a picture of the property's exterior, if there is none in the ad. If the landlord declines to provide an exterior picture, consider this a major red flag.
Never send a copy of your ID, passport, or credit/debit card to strangers.
Don't send any money for rent or deposit until you have the keys and a signed contract. Legitimate landlords won't pressure you to pay before seeing the home and finalising the agreement. Be especially wary if someone offers to mail you the keys – this could be a sign of a scam.
Ideally, always visit an apartment before renting. This lets you assess the space and ensure it meets your needs. The landlord should always be willing and able to show you the place. If you aren't able to see the place beforehand, be extra vigilant.
Do not make payments via Western Union, PayPal accounts or non-Dutch bank accounts.
Never sign a housing contract without having read it carefully. Be sure you fully understand and agree with the terms and conditions. Get someone to translate it for you if necessary.
Do you have questions about your rental agreement? The following websites might be useful: Rented housing | Housing | Government.nl, Rijksoverheid, de Landelijke studentenvakbond or Duwo.
There are several organisations that can help you with questions or problems you may have regarding your search for accommodation in the Netherlands.
While we do our best to secure housing for our students, our resources are limited. We recommend that you start your own search for accommodation, even if you've already applied for student housing via Inholland. While Inholland doesn't directly connect students with private accommodation providers, we have compiled some tips to increase your chances of success!
Living with a host or host family is a unique and cosy way of living. You have your own room but share facilities such as the kitchen or bathroom. It's an ideal solution if you're just starting out on your own or if you're temporarily looking for accommodation. Hospi Housing has a large network of verified hosts and host families and ensures the perfect match. With the 'No room, No pay' model, you can sign up for free and get in touch with hosts immediately, visit Hospi Housing now.
Explore these platforms to kickstart your search for housing in the Netherlands. And remember: don't limit yourself to just one platform—casting a wider net increases your chances of finding a place that
Platforms for housing in Haarlem:
Platforms for housing in Delft:
Platforms for housing in The Hague:
In the Netherlands, if you rent accommodation, you must pay local taxes for utilities and municipal services. These costs are not included in your rent and are billed directly by the municipality. At the start of the year, you’ll receive a letter listing the taxes that apply to you. The amounts vary by municipality, but as a general guideline, a single-person household can expect to pay per year:
If you stay in the Netherlands for less than a year, you will only pay for the months that you live here, not the entire year.
Exemption
Students with a low income may be eligible for a tax reduction or waiver. You’ll find instructions to apply in the same letter mentioned above.
Housing benefit is a financial contribution from the Dutch government to help with rent costs. Whether you qualify depends on your situation and the type of accommodation you rent.
Main conditions for housing benefit:
Because of these specific requirements, only a small number of homes are eligible for housing benefit, and demand is high. Accommodation in the private housing market usually doesn’t qualify because the rent is often above the limit.
How to apply for housing benefit
You can apply online via the Dutch Tax Office website once you have your BSN and rental contract. You can also contact them by phone at +31 555 385 385 for assistance.
Wondering how other international students found housing in the Netherlands? Chat with one of our students! They'll be happy to share their personal experiences, budgeting tips, and answer any questions you have about navigating the Dutch housing market.