Renting in the private sector in the Amsterdam Area
Finding housing in a new place always requires some research. If you’re planning to rent in the Amsterdam region, the most common option for expats is to rent property in the private sector. Private rental accommodation with a rental price greater than €737.14 (according to the House Value Rating System) is not subsidised and there are no pre-conditions as to your eligibility. While the rental price of these homes are likely to be more expensive than with social housing, the likelihood of finding a place quickly is far greater.
If you rent a home in the private sector with a rental price less than or equal to €737.14, you will require a housing permit (huisvestingsvergunning) and your income may not exceed €45,550 per year. Learn more about the application process for a housing permit (in Dutch).
For more information on the House Value Rating System, please see our overview of housing rights. To determine whether or not you will be eligible for housing benefits as a new tenant, you can visit the website www.toeslagen.nl and make a personal calculation on the basis of your age, income and basic rent.
To help get you on the rental property ladder, we suggest you try:
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Rooftrack: Rooftrack is an initiative of WoningNet and offers a wide range of available properties in the non-subsidised rental market. Rooftrack's website displays properties from both housing corporations as well as professional property management firms. The website is free of charge and available in English.
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Online housing sites: The MVA (see below) offers an extensive online property search. Huurwoning (in Dutch) allows you to search listings from private owners and agencies. Pararius and Funda are available in English.
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Estate agents (makelaars): A good starting point is the MVA, the professional association for estate agents active in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. MVA agents can help with renting, leasing out or valuing a home and give information and advice about the Amsterdam housing market.
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Expat forums and sites on the internet: Expatica Housing and Xpat Rentals.
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TenantHub: Designed for professionals that are new to the Amsterdam Area, TenantHub connects potential flatmates working within a similar industry or company.
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Tenere: Tenere is a housing platform that digitises the steps required to secure a long-term rental – you can even sign a contract online and pay rent through a direct debit – and all of its listings are verified.
In the private sector landlords usually ask for a deposit, which is typically the equivalent of one or two months’ rent. As for contracts, tenancy agreements can be concluded for fixed periods of time and changed at the discretion of the tenant and landlord (or due to circumstances). You should therefore read your tenancy agreement carefully. Learn more about housing rights in the Amsterdam Area.
Renting in the social sector in the Amsterdam Area
Another possibility is to look into social housing (rent controlled housing) options. The Netherlands has the biggest public housing sector in Europe, the majority of which is owned by private, non-profit housing associations. These rental dwellings are primarily aimed at lower income groups, with a maximum rent capped by law. However, with a waiting list of between 8-14 years, social housing is not a favourable option for most expats. You must also meet strict criteria:
To be eligible for social housing, you must:
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Satisfy certain conditions, one being that your monthly income is below a certain level. Housing associations are allowed to exclusively let their social homes (basic rent up to €737.14) to people with a maximum income up to €43,574 (taxable income of the entire household). The housing association will apply for a housing permit for you.
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Be in the municipality where you are looking for housing, for instance because you work there. The landlord will only obtain a housing permit for you if you satisfy all the stipulated conditions.
- Register with WoningNet (in Dutch). Rental property in the Amsterdam Area is advertised every week on their website. The registration fee is €50 for the first year, and then €8 per year after that (price valid until 2019). Your chance of getting the home of your preference depends on the duration of your registration.
Useful links
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For more information on finding a room, visit Huurders. For general information on housing, visit Wonen (Amsterdam City Housing Department, in Dutch) or NVM (Dutch Association of Estate Agents).
Though we are striving to provide a broad overview of the organisations and platforms focused on housing for internationals, please be aware that you may encounter scams. To stay safe, review this helpful information from !WOON before starting your search.
Rental housing in Amsterdam
Additional rental costs
Rental deposits in Amsterdam
Finding student housing
Tenants' rights
Overview of housing rights
Tips on avoiding housing scams in Amsterdam
Unjust agency fees in Amsterdam
More information on renting in Amsterdam
About short-stay apartments
Housing allowance
