Are you a degree student from an EEA-country or a higher year degree student? Then you are responsible for securing your own accommodation for the duration of your stay in the Netherlands. Student housing is limited, so start your search as soon as possible. We have collected a number of options to help you get started. You’ll also find some general information about finding a room in the Netherlands.

Tip: register with SSH Student Housing now

Due to long waiting lists at SSH Student Housing, you may not get a SSH room for your first year here. The average registration time is 20 months. Register now, so you’ll have a higher chance of getting a room in your second or third year. Scroll down to find more information about registering with SSH.

Finding your accommodation

There are many websites offering accommodation in and around Utrecht. Most websites are legitimately trying to help with the high demand. Unfortunately, there are some that try to take advantage of this need. So be careful; if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. You can find some useful tips, things to look out for, and a list of websites and agencies our students have found useful in the past.

All the sites listed below offer information in English.

Most student flats in the Netherlands organise a viewing night (hospiteer evening) before choosing a new flatmate. In a student flat you’ll be living with a number of other students where you’ll share a kitchen, bathroom and often a living room. During the viewing night the existing tenants want to get to know you to see whether you're compatible in the group. Don't be disheartened if you don't get chosen for the first room. On average students in Utrecht go to 10 such hospiteer evenings before finding a room.

Unfortunately, there are scammers who try to take advantage of the housing shortage among students. These tips help you avoid housing scams:

  • Be careful when sharing information with someone. Always ask yourself: why does this person need this information from me?
  • Never transfer any money before you have signed a proper contract, have seen the room in person and have received the keys.
  • Never send a copy of your ID-card or passport, personal information or sign any documents until you’re sure you have all the information you need.
  • View the room in person beforehand.
  • If you’re not able to view a room in person, ask for a virtual tour with the landlord. You can then compare what you see in the video with the information about the room you already have.
  • Ask for help. You can always ask us to have a look with you. Email us at housing@hu.nl and we’ll help you in determining whether an advertisement or message looks like a scam.
  • Check !Woon for housing advice.
  • The Juridisch Loket offers free legal advice. You can visit their offices or contact them by phone.
  • If you do run into or fall for a scam make sure to report it to the police. If you’re suspicious something could be a scam, make sure you take screenshots of any communication with the possible scammer.

As existing student housing is limited you could also try finding a flat together with a few other students and split the costs between you. Be aware that you may need a minimum income level to be eligible to rent a flat on the open market. Also, the down payment would be higher for a flat than it is for a student room.

  • You can expect to have your own room with a shared kitchen and bathroom.
  • Some student housing options offer cheaper shared rooms.
  • Most students don't live in studio apartments as they are in limited supply and are very expensive
  • Rent can be anywhere between € 450 and € 1,100 per month.
  • Bigger student flats often have units of around 12 rooms with two showers or bathrooms and a shared kitchen and living room.
  • In smaller or unofficial student apartments you could be sharing a flat with up to 5 other students.
  • You can expect a room to be anywhere between 7m2 and 20m2. Rooms near the city centre are usually smaller and more expensive.

You usually have to pay a deposit fee upfront in the amount of 1 or 2 months’ rent.

Be aware that there may be additional costs. In some cases, these are included in your (monthly) rent. Check your contract whether this is the case. Think of the following:

  • Municipal taxes: € 350 - € 400 per year
  • Internet/Wi-Fi
  • Water and electricity
  • Service costs/building maintenance
  • Registration or mediation fees from housing agency

SSH Student Housing for regular accommodation

Our housing partner SSH offers rooms to both international and Dutch students looking for housing for an indefinite period in Utrecht. You can live in SSH’s room as long as you are still a student. However, demand vastly outweighs supply, so we can't guarantee a room is available when you need it. The rooms are assigned by registration time and viewing nights. Note that in Utrecht you need to have an average registration time of 20 months before you can apply for a viewing night. Check the current rental offers in Utrecht.

How to get a room through SSH

First of all, you need to register. Next, you can apply for SSH Regular Accommodation. Follow the steps below. If you want more information before you register, please check SSH's information for non-Dutch students.

Please note: SSH has a waiting list. After registration, it may take 2 years before you are able to book accommodation.

To register, go to SSH's registration page for regular accommodations and fill in your details.

You will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration and pay the registration fee. Registration with SSH costs € 20. Your registration time starts counting from the moment you have paid the fee.

Once you have entered a password and paid the registration fee, you may immediately apply for accommodations that are on offer.

Keep in mind that:

  • there can be a waiting period (especially in Utrecht): per viewing night, the top 20 students with the longest registration time who have applied to view the room will be invited;
  • the rooms on offer are available immediately or within a period of 3 weeks;
  • the viewing night is often at the room itself. If you cannot be present physically, ask if it's possible to do the viewing online.

After you have enough registration time, you can apply for rooms. The average registration time needed in Utrecht is 20 months. Only the 20 applicants with the longest registration time will get invited to the viewing night. During the viewing night you get to introduce yourself to the current occupants alongside other invited students. The house will choose their new roommate.

If you apply for a self-contained studio, the studio will be assigned to the student with the longest registration time.

Did the house choose you to be their new flatmate or did you get the studio? Then the room is yours!

All that's left for you to do is upload the needed documents in My SSH and accept the rental agreement. SSH won’t charge any additional administration costs for drawing up your contract.

Disclaimer

  • The above agencies/websites operate independently from the HU. The HU cannot be held accountable for the outcome of any contact between you and these organisations.
  • Unfortunately, there are individuals who take advantage of students desperately seeking accommodation. In case of private rental, always sign a proper rental contract with your landlord and never agree to transfer money before you have seen the room and received your keys. 
  • An agency will usually charge an administrative fee of at least one month's rent.

Video: Student housing in the Netherlands

In a short video Study in NL gives you some useful tips about finding student housing in the Netherlands.

Watch the video on YouTube

Any questions about housing?