Aljawaz Your guide to study abroad When getting ready to study abroad, one of the most important things to take care of is to find a place to live. And since there’s a high demand of student accommodation because of the popularity of the country, you should arrange for a housing before your arrival in the Netherlands. Read further to learn what are your options and get a few tips to find a student accommodation in Holland.
Types of student accommodation in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, students generally rent a room in student houses off-campus. However, some higher education institutions offer some on-campus accommodation. The third option is to rent an apartment or share a flat with a few roommates.
Student houses
This is the most popular housing among students in the Netherlands: renting a room in student houses which hosts 3 to 6 people. Usually, student houses are privately-owned and offer the same system as an on-campus accommodation elsewhere. Students rent a room and share communal spaces with the other tenants. This shared space usually includes the kitchen, the living room and the bathroom.
A room in a student house in the Netherlands is the best accommodation option if you want to meet and live with other students. However, it’s important to respect the house rules – which can be difficult in the beginning, but you’ll learn to adapt over time.
University accommodation
Most Dutch universities don’t have a campus. However, they collaborate with housing organizations to offer accommodation to their students. The system is the same as for student houses, where expat students get the opportunity to meet and socialize with other local and international students.
Moreover, this option is not more expensive than the private options, and you’ll have access to roughly the same facilities. The variation in price depends on the type and size of the room you rent and the location of the housing. Also, in some cases, universities in the Netherlands may offer temporary student accommodation. Some institutions, on the other hand, don’t offer any housing but have a housing office to help you find a suitable place to live.
Student apartments in the Netherlands
The last option of student accommodation in the Netherlands is to rent a private bedroom in an apartment with shared facilities. The difference between student houses and apartments is the price but also the capacity of the place. Student apartments are rented to up to 12 individuals.
Moreover, before signing up for a room, make sure to check if it is furnished or not. Those furnished should contain the basic things: a bed, a closet, a table and a chair. If it’s not the case, you can check out second-hand shops that offer interesting deals to help you save money.
Learn also the living and study costs in the Netherlands for students.
How much is student accommodation in Netherlands?
Student accommodation cost in the Netherlands depends on the size, location and furnishing of the housing. The rent usually costs between €300 and €600 per month. However, in some cities such as Amsterdam, student accommodation cost can be up to €800 per month. Be sure to check which bills are included in the rent (gas, electricity, internet, etc.)
To give you a range for the average rent, expect to pay:
- €300 to €600 for a room at a student house
- €400 to €700 for a shared apartment
- Between €500 and €1,000 for a private studio or apartment.
Other student accommodation cost in the Netherlands
Apart from the rent, students in the Netherlands who rent a living space will need to pay municipal taxes, like anyone living in the country. These taxes include:
- Waste collection charge or levy for which you’ll receive a separate bill from the rental facilities one. In case you share a house with other students, the bill is in the name of the main user, the one who is the oldest or the first to register on the address. In that case, tenants organize among themselves to share the costs of this bill, but the main user is responsible for the payment.
- Sewage levy which charges for the connection of your house to the city’s sewage network. Sometimes, this levy is included in the rent but usually, this is charged separately.
How to find a housing in Netherlands as an international student?
Here are some tips to help you find a student accommodation in the Netherlands.
Apply as early as possible
Some cities in the Netherlands have a dramatic shortage of student housing. That’s the case for example of Utrecht where it’s almost impossible to get a housing at short notice. In Amsterdam, there are about 75,000 students, which indicates that there is a big competition for accommodation.
Check the housing office of your university
Not all universities in the Netherlands offer a housing. But there are many who collaborate with private organizations to find a place on behalf of their students. This is the first place to check out. And keep in mind that the prices will vary based on the type of accommodation, its size and its location in the city you decide to settle in.
Find a place through student housing companies
In case your host university doesn’t offer any housing options, there are a few tricks to help you find a place on your own. The most popular among them is the “studentenverenigingen”. These are student societies and associations that offer housing when you register with one of them. Of course, since it uses a membership system, you then have to pay a fee. But you will increase your chance to rent a room in one of their privately-owned student houses.
One thing to keep in mind with these student corporations is that you usually don’t have the ability to book a room in advance. You, then have to be in the Netherlands to do viewings. The largest student housing corporation in the Netherlands are DUWO and SSH Student housing.
Get in touch with a rental housing agency
In this case, you might have to pay a service fee. However, these housing agencies may have interesting properties for students in their listings, so it’s always a good thing to check for any agency in the city you plan to live in the Netherlands.
Use the internet and social media
This also proves to be very helpful in finding a student accommodation in the Netherlands. Don’t hesitate to share your search criteria on social media, there might be someone in your social circle searching for a roommate. But you can as well search a place through websites such as:
Additional tips
When visiting a potential place, bring a friend with you if possible. It’s a matter of safety, but also it’s better to have two pairs of eyes than one. Moreover, always carefully read any rental contract before signing. And don’t pay anything before you have signed a contract.
Also, make sure you understand what you are allowed to do in your student room. Make sure also that it contains all included and excluded services and utilities. Last but not least, make sure to ask who you should talk to in case there is a problem.
Other articles to check out:
How to apply to university in the Netherlands.
How to get your student visa for the Netherlands.
