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Thanks to its well-regarded university, close proximity to Amsterdam and The Hague, and charming atmosphere, Leiden is a popular choice for internationals moving to the Netherlands. However, the rental market in this quaint little town comes with its fair share of challenges — especially for those unfamiliar with the Dutch housing market.
So, from a Leiden local, here’s a list of helpful questions you may want to ask BEFORE renting a room or flat here.
1. Can I register at this address?
Moving to the Netherlands involves a whole host of finicky little things — one of which is registering at an address.
Once you’ve arrived, you’ll likely have a window of five days to legally register at a particular address in the municipality (or gemeente) of Leiden.
Although many landlords will allow you to register at their property, it’s definitely worth the effort to check as some won’t or will be deliberately non-transparent about it. Housing adverts generally state whether or not registration is possible, so be vigilant about the ones that don’t.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re subletting a room from someone, or staying at an Air BnB or hotel, you likely can’t register at that address.
2. Can I have a room/flat tour?
Here’s the golden rule of renting: never rent a room or flat without attending a viewing first.
Whilst this may seem like an obvious ask, the Netherlands’ raging housing crisis has made it increasingly popular for landlords to rent out properties without arranging proper viewings for them.
With accommodation nearly always rented out “as is”, this means that you may be faced with unexpected repairs for the flat or room you’ve chosen sight unseen.
So if you’re abroad and attempting to secure housing before landing in Leiden, it pays to opt for a video tour instead.
3. What additional costs are included in the rent?
Most housing adverts in the Netherlands will specify whether or not the rent is inclusive of GWE (gas, water, and electricity) — but additional costs may not be apparent until you’re staring down at your rental agreement.
When it comes to maintenance costs and charges for internet/TV, you’d ideally want to know what these amounts are beforehand, as they may add quite a bump in price to your overall rent.
In addition to this, you need to check if you’ll be responsible for municipal taxes such as the afvalstoffenheffing (waste disposal tax) and waterschapsbelastingen (water board taxes).
4. How much is the deposit?
Prior to renting a room/flat in the Netherlands, you’ll generally need to pay a deposit.
As outlined by the Dutch government, landlords can legally ask for a maximum of three months’ basic rent (excluding utilities) as a deposit.
However, unscrupulous landlords have been known to ask upwards of six months’ rent as rental deposits — so you will need to be extra vigilant about how much you’ll be charged.
What are some other questions you’d ask before renting a room or flat? Are there things I’ve missed out on in this post? Do pop them in the comments — or just sound off with your thoughts!
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