While most universities help international students arrange for housing, that isn't the norm in this country. Even though there are some student resources for finding accommodation in the Netherlands, for the most part, you're on your own. Considering there's a housing crisis in the whole country, this puts a bit of pressure on incoming students. But don't stress out too much. So long as you look well in advance and have backup plans, then it won't be impossible to find accommodation for your time at university.
Types of accommodations for students in the Netherlands
If you have a decent budget to work with, you can look for all sorts of accommodations: room, apartment, house, or even a houseboat. Since most students don't work, they're usually on a limited budget of around €700. In most places, this can only get you a room (it probably won't even get you a room in Amsterdam, as they cost around €950 per month), so it will narrow down your choices significantly.
In a pinch, staying at a hostel, hotel, or Airbnb can help you tide things over as you continue your search for housing. However, this is usually more expensive than getting on a lease, so you'll want to only use this as a last resort.
Where to look for student accommodation in the Netherlands
A good way to look for accommodation in the Netherlands is on Facebook, as there are many housing groups specific to students and/or locations. However, these groups can be rife with scammers, so exercise caution when responding to ads, handing over personal details, and making payments.
Another good place to look is Kamernet. Here, you can look specifically for a room in apartments and houses. It's free to search, but if you want to contact the landlord, you have to pay a fee. If you rent out a room, it can be much cheaper than other options, but keep in mind that you will most likely have to share amenities like the bathroom and kitchen with others. You may also be in mixed-gender housing.
Other great websites to look for accommodation on include Funda, Pararius, and Direct Wonen. All these websites let you look in the city of your choice; they even let you put an acceptable radius to expand your options. You can also put in filters like maximum rent price, rooms, and furnished or not.
If you can't find affordable accommodation in the city of your choice, consider looking in nearby cities. The public transport system in the Netherlands is excellent, so you won't have to worry about too big of a commute.
Rent prices in the Netherlands
In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from €600 to over €900 per month to rent a room. If you're planning on living in the center of Amsterdam, then rent will be absurdly high at times.
If you can afford it, consider getting a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Those can cost upwards of €2,000, but you'll get your own living space.
Even in cities outside of the Randstad, many students face homelessness because they can't find accommodation. Since the housing crisis is so dire, if you're able to find anything that's legitimate, you should take it if you can afford to. If the price is outside your budget, consider asking your family for some financial help so you won't have to be homeless while pursuing higher education.
Lease conditions and procedures in the Netherlands
You should always arrange to see the accommodation you're interested in before you hand over any money. Scammers know students are desperate to find housing before the school year starts, and they'll prey on that urgent need.
Once you've viewed a place and deemed it fit for your needs, let the agent know, and they'll provide you with a contract if the landlord picks you as the tenant. Once you've signed the contract and put in your deposit, the agent will then give you the keys.
Do a walkthrough with the agent so you know everything's in working order. You can also make a note of any existing damage to avoid being charged when you move out.
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