How To Find Student Housing In Netherlands

 Samudraki's Saturdays

You've made your decision to come to The Netherlands to pursue higher education. Now that the applications are done, you've got to find a place to stay, and FAST! Don't wait till you get here to start your search. It's likely that you are looking for a new house whist temporarily staying at a hostel, or your current accommodation is too expensive, or you're still stuck in your home country due to Covid-19 and are looking a place to stay. Well, this blog is for all of you! Housing in The Netherlands is TOUGH and for students it's even harder with numerous requirements from landlords and expensive housing agencies. So what can you do to find cheap(er) housing with your student financial status? Read more to find out.

1. Apply To Websites In Advance

Alot of student housing have listings online or via agencies. As a student, free posts via Facebook or Websites are more common than going through a paid housing agency service. Using these websites need you to have an updated profile and checking and responding to posts regularly. Alot of these sites also work on a point system, so the longer you have an account, the higher up in the list you go to be offered a place. Please remember that these are the websites I personally used and tried, but do so at your own risk. I am not responsible for the quality of the housing and reliability of these websites. 

Companies That Are International Student Friendly:

SSH Student Housing: https://www.sshxl.nl/

Lefier: https://www.lefier.nl/

The Student Hotel: https://www.thestudenthotel.com/

Websites That Require Early Registration:

Kamernet: https://kamernet.nl/en 

Pararius: https://www.pararius.com/english

Clawq: https://clawq.com/

Housing Anywhere: https://housinganywhere.com/

2. Join Facebook Groups and Respond Daily

Just like the websites mentioned above, students prefer to post FREE ads on Facebook in various housing groups. Definitely join these groups for the city you are in, or ask your university student desk for the group links. On Facebook, you need to respond daily with "PM or DM". Message the person on Messenger with your preferences and ask for an appointment (hospi) to see the house and meet the roommates, if any. Like as many housing posts as possible and also make your own post with a photo and your requirements asking for housing on those pages/groups. 

3. Ask Around / Couch-surfing

If you're currently staying at a hostel or hotel and are looking for something less expensive, maybe ask your friends if they have empty rooms in their dorms/house. A lot of students packed their stuff and left in a hurry back to their home countries due to Covid-19 so there are a lots of empty houses and dorm rooms available but might not be listed yet. If that isn't an option you could also ask them if couch-surfing is a possibility. In exchange offer to help them with household chores. However, make sure that if you do this it is LEGAL.

4. Ask Your University For Help

Sometimes your universities may have tie-ups or reserved housing for students with student housing buildings or dormitories. The university might also have temporary housing arrangements around the city like in tents as a worst case, immediate housing scenario. They might also be able to guide you better locally. However, do expect the rent to be between €400 to €700 per month in student cities (a bit higher in bigger cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven). Also, don't forget to see what your rent includes in advance and if you have to pay extra costs for gas, water, electricity, internet and TV.

5. Student Associations & Student Societies

In my opinion, the absolute last resort is join a student association that has their own housing building for their members. It is a similar concept to frat houses in the United States of America. At these student associations, alot of socialising events takes place inside the student house so you've been warned! If you're someone looking for a quiet room to study then this is definitely not for you.

With these housing tips I'm sure you'll be on your way to a find a safe yet enjoyable and reliable house to stay in and make wonderful memories during your years at university in the Netherlands. Happy House Hunting! Let me know in the comments below which city you're going to for University.

XO, Samudraki