Student housing in the Netherlands for international students

 

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:

Find student accommodation in the Netherlands via Inholland

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.

Exchange students look for student accommodation in the Netherlands via Inholland

Short-term stay: exchange students

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. 

View housing options near your Inholland campus:

International students look for student accommodation in the Netherlands before their study at Inholland

Long-term stay: full degree students

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.

View housing options near your Inholland campus: 

Inholland doesn't offer accommodation in Rotterdam, read our tips below to find your home away from home. 

Tips for your student housing search in the Netherlands

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.

Start your search early

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.

Expand your search radius

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. 

Use multiple housing platforms

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: 

  •  You'll have more options: each platform offers different listings, so you'll have access to a broader spectrum of housing possibilities.
  • Compare prices more effectively: by accessing listings across multiple platforms, you can better understand the market rates, ensuring you make an informed decision about your rent.

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.

Be prepared for viewings

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.

  1. Does this address allow you to register at the Municipality? This is mandatory for legal residence in the Netherlands.
  2. How long is the lease?  Knowing the lease term helps you plan your stay and budget accordingly. 
  3. When speaking to current tenants, ask: is the landlord reliable? A landlord's reputation can provide insight into their responsiveness, maintenance practices, and overall attitude towards tenants, giving you a better sense of your potential rental experience.
  4. Do you have a private entrance? A private entrance offers convenience for deliveries and guests and may reduce noise and potential security concerns.
  5. Is there heating, a kitchen, a sink, a toilet? It is crucial to confirm the availability of basic living necessities.
  6. What fire safety measures are in place?  Understanding the fire safety provisions ensures your safety and the building's adherence to legal standards.
  7. What's included in the rent and are there additional costs?  Additional costs, such as Gas, water, electricity, internet, TV, taxes, insurance, and service charges are often not included. 
  8. Are there additional rules?  Knowing this can help avoid surprises later. Additional rules might cover things like noise restrictions, pet policies, guest limitations, or common area usage.

Remember: Always read the contract thoroughly and ask questions if anything is unclear!

Be aware of scams

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

Need support?

There are several organisations that can help you with questions or problems you may have regarding your search for accommodation in the Netherlands.

  • LSVBThis is the association of students in the Netherlands. They have a very large network and can help you in your search for accommodation in the Netherlands.
  • ASVA - This is the association of students in Amsterdam. Like the LSVB, they have a large network and can help you in your search for accommodation, specifically in Amsterdam.
  • !WOON - The !WOON tenant support agency (funded by the Amsterdam municipality) provides information, advice and support for tenants. !WOON has offices all over the city with regular walk-ins (no appointment necessary). They also have a special department for extreme situations involving intimidation etc, called the Meldpunt.
  • Juridisch LoketThis organization can give free information and advice regarding legal questions.
  • Jip Haaglanden - This support agency provides information, advice and support regarding life in the Netherlands to international students in The Hague and Delft.

Where to find student 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! 

International student discovers where to find student housing in the Netherlands

Get 20% Off HousingAnywhere

To help you find and book your new home in the Netherlands, Inholland recommends HousingAnywhere, the international booking platform for student accommodation. All our students are free to sign up for this service here and receive:

  • a 20% discount on the subscription fee;
  • a partner student badge that grants you priority access to all rooms;
  • real-time notifications on any new room available;
  • priority assistance in 6 different languages through vip@housinganywhere.comtelephone or Live Chat!

Do you have any more questions? Check HousingAnywhere's FAQs.

Stay with a host or guest family

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.

Other housing platforms

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 

Sites for housing in Haarlem, The Hague or Delft

Paying for student accommodation in the Netherlands: taxes and benefits

Local taxes for international students

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:

  • Waste collection: €120-180
  • Water tax: €100-200
  • Sewage charge: €70-120

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 for international students

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:

  • Your age and income must meet the government’s requirements.
  • The accommodation must have its own front door (student rooms with shared facilities usually don’t qualify).
  • Your monthly rent cannot be too high.
  • You need a valid rental contract.
  • You must have a BSN (Citizen Service Number), which you get when registering with your municipality.

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.

Want to know more about living and studying in the Netherlands?

Explore living and studying in the Netherlands

Chat with one of our students

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.

Chat with a student about housing

Need help with your student accommodation search in the Netherlands?

Contact us