FIRST OF ALL
DON’T SET THE BAR TOO HIGH
As a first-year student, living on Herengracht straight away is practically impossible. The housing market in Amsterdam is extremely tight, so most students start out in a small room outside the city centre or in one of the larger student halls of residence. That’s perfectly normal. The longer you’re registered on platforms such as Studentenwoningweb and the more people you get to know, the better your chances become, and you can often move on to better accommodation. So your first room doesn’t have to be perfect; it’s mainly a starting point from which you can continue your search.
TYPES OF HOUSING AND CONTRACTS
A lot of different types of housing are being offered in Amsterdam. There is a difference between independent housing and shared housing and there are different types of landlords and forms of contracts. Make sure you know what you are dealing with so you know your rights.
A lot of student housing in Amsterdam is owned by housing corporations. These organisations have as their primary goal to realise housing for people with low incomes. Their student housing is therefore often affordable. Most of the student housing from these corporations involves a campus contract. This means that you have to leave the housing when you are done studying in Amsterdam.
Besides there are a lot of houses offered by private landlords. These rooms are to be found all around the city, for example in a student house or with a family. When more than two persons live at the same address, who are not a family, this is called house sharing. In Amsterdam a landlord needs to meet certain regulations and have a permit to do this.
For you as a tenant the main concern is that you cannot rent together on one contract but that every tennant has a separate contract with the landlord. Besides, it is important you are allowed to register with the municipality. Does the landlord not allow this? Then chances are they are renting out illegally.
ASVA HOUSING GROUPCHAT
ASVA has its own WhatsApp group where students share housing opportunities and offer advice. This is an accessible way to stay up to date with new rooms and hear about other students’ experiences.
NETWORKING
Networking is one of the most important ways to find a room. Make sure everyone around you knows you’re looking: friends, family, fellow students, but also neighbours and acquaintances. Many rooms are arranged through personal connections, so the bigger your network, the greater the chance that someone will think of you when something becomes available. Student societies can also play a role here, as they often have houses where places become available. It also helps to make yourself visible to people you don’t yet know. By putting up notices in supermarkets, libraries and university buildings, you can broaden your reach. It may seem old-fashioned, but it still works surprisingly well.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Due to the high demand for rooms, landlords often hold a strong position, and sometimes they take advantage of this. It is therefore important to know your rights. In the Netherlands, the points system determines the maximum rent a room may cost. Landlords are allowed to ask for a deposit, but costs such as key money or non-refundable administration fees are not permitted. Temporary contracts are also not always permitted, and a property must be well maintained. By familiarising yourself with these matters, you can avoid paying too much or ending up in an unreasonable situation. For help and information, please contact our own legal advice service on legalaid@asva.nl or the WOON! foundation.
STUDENTENWONINGWEB AND ROOM
It is important to register for student accommodation as early as possible, ideally as soon as you know you will be studying in Amsterdam. Studentenwoningweb is a key platform where rooms from housing associations are advertised. In addition, ROOM has now been updated to ROOMmatch. This platform no longer operates solely on the basis of waiting time, but also uses a matching system in which your profile and motivation play a role. Furthermore, it is a collaboration between several housing associations such as DUWO, Ymere and others, which has broadened the range of options available.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media plays a major role in finding rooms. There are various groups on Facebook where rooms are offered and sought. These often involve student houses looking for a new housemate, but entire flats or studios are also advertised. By joining these groups and responding actively, you can stay informed about new listings and increase your chances of finding a room.
PRIVATE COMPLEXES
In addition to housing associations, there are also many private student accommodation complexes in Amsterdam. These vary greatly in price and quality. Student Experience, for example, offers relatively luxurious and furnished rooms, whilst Socius projects, such as the former ACTA building, are known for their lower rents. Organisations such as Xior and Stadgenoot also offer student accommodation. Furthermore, Gapph Vastgoedbeheer is an option for students aged 23 and over.
ROOM WEBSITES
There are many websites offering rooms, such as Kamernet, Housing Anywere and MyHospi. You can often view the listings for free, but you have to pay to respond. It is important to be cautious here, as there is a lot of abuse of students looking for accommodation. Therefore, never pay before you have viewed the property, met the landlord and actually received the key.
CITYTRIPHOSTELS
Due to the housing crisis, it is not uncommon for students to be unable to find a room in the short term. In such cases, a hostel can offer a temporary solution. ASVA, for example, has a partnership with CityTripHostels, with locations in Purmerend and Zaandam. Here you can rent a bed for a longer period, with amenities such as cleaning and good transport links to Amsterdam. This can be a practical interim solution whilst you continue to look for a permanent place to live.
Would you like to make use of this offer? Inform the front desk that you heard about it through ASVA.
TEMPORARY ROOMS AND ANTI-SQUATTING
If you’re unable to find a permanent room straight away, temporary accommodation can be a good solution. Anti-squatting is often one of the cheapest options, but offers little security as it is not an official tenancy agreement. You usually pay a contribution towards gas, water and electricity. There are also schemes such as The Social Hub and Hotel Casa, where students can live temporarily. You should bear in mind that you will often have to leave your room in the summer as the building is then used as a hotel.
HOSPITA RENTAL
Hospitaverhuur means renting a room in someone else’s house, usually the owner’s. This type of accommodation used to be very common and is making a comeback due to the housing shortage. Platforms such as HospiHousing connect students and landlords and verify the reliability of the hosts. It can be a good option if you need a room quickly and don’t mind living with the landlord.
ACCOMODATION IN EXCHANGE FOR VOLUNTEER WORK
There are also projects where you are provided with accommodation in exchange for community service. At VoorUit, for example, you work for around ten hours a week in the neighbourhood. Academie van de Stad also offers opportunities to live at a reduced rate or for free whilst contributing to community projects in the city. These kinds of initiatives combine accommodation with valuable experience and social engagement.
Have you noticed certain platforms to be missing? Then send us a tip via huisvesting@asva.nl!
