More people are moving to the Netherlands each year. Finding an apartment that meets one's needs in the Netherlands' competitive rental market may be difficult. In most cases, native Dutch and expatriates working in the Netherlands rent homes and apartments. The availability and price of housing are both affected when all of these factors are combined with limited capacity. Also, many rental homes in the Netherlands are social housing with limited availability. The Netherlands rental market is improving, but demand is outpacing supply.
Finding a place to rent in the Netherlands after determining what kind of rental property to buy is an important decision. Using help from agencies with experience assisting people in relocating to the Netherlands is a helpful idea. It is best to use a reputable rental agency or a real estate agent to access legitimate home listings in the Netherlands. This way, renters are assured they are not being taken advantage of. This guide on renting in the Netherlands will assist tenants in gaining a deeper comprehension of the property market in the Netherlands.
Things to Know about Renting in the Netherlands
If tenants new to the housing market in the Netherlands are expected to make educated judgments, they must understand how the market functions. Therefore, the following are some essential aspects of renting in the Netherlands:
1. Cost of Housing
Before getting their expectations up, renters must examine the typical home prices in each city they are considering moving to. Prices outside the city center are still not what a migrant from a middle-class background would consider budget-friendly. In such cases, they can look in the adjacent suburbs, cities nearby, or even further south. Generally, the prices of homes and other real estate in the provinces of Brabant and Limburg are lower than those in the desirable Randstad district.
2. Types of Rentals
The Netherlands rental sector is divided into the government-funded social housing sector and the unsubsidized private sector. Most rental apartments are held by housing organizations and subject to social housing laws. A points system is used in social housing, and its purpose is to establish the worth of the property, which in turn establishes the rent. In private housing, rents can rise unlimitedly since the private housing market is unrestricted. The rules and regulations surrounding the provision of social housing to households with lower incomes may affect the open property market to migrants.
3. Rental Documents
If an individual plans to rent a place to live while working in the Netherlands, their prospective landlord will require a copy of their employment contract. In addition, they can be asked to provide a statement from their Dutch bank and their general credit history from other nations. Also, it's crucial to consider the possibility that prospective landlords would want tenants to provide evidence that their monthly wage is at least three or four times greater than the rent they charge.
4. Tenancy Contract
If the landlord wants to collect rent different than the standard rent, they must state so in the contract. Before signing the agreement, tenants should only send over additional money if it is specified in the document. The lease agreement may include monthly rent, rent due date, and additional costs like utilities bills. The lease contract may also include maintenance and repair agreements and the minimum notice landlords must give before raising rents.
5. Housing Allowance Eligibility
Tenants must determine whether or not they are qualified to get a housing allowance. A benefit of moving to the Netherlands is that renters are eligible for a benefit known as huurtoeslag, which translates to housing allowance. It entails receiving a sizable portion of their monthly rent returned. They can apply huurtoeslag if they are a tenant paying a relatively high rent, have a low income, and live in social housing. The amount of the supplement is determined by the rent they pay, their age, income, and living situation.
6. Extra Costs
When tenants move in correctly, landlords usually require a one-month rent deposit. Hence, tenants must plan their finances appropriately. Renters must clarify whether or not their agreement covers the cost of utilities and bills. This is because the arrangement might be either inclusive or exclusive of these charges. They will need to budget for water and electricity if rent does not include utilities and services. The landlord handles major property maintenance, while the renter handles minor repairs.
Conclusion
The search may not be as challenging as renters have been led to believe it will be regarding locating the ideal location for you in the Netherlands. Since it may take some time to find a rental option that falls within their price range, renters should be prepared to pounce on their ideal choice once it catches their eye. This guide provides some ideas potential tenants can use while looking for their future house once they’re ready to start.
