The Ultimate Guide to Housing in the Netherlands

If you’re planning to move to the Netherlands, finding a place to live is likely at the top of your to-do list. But navigating the Dutch housing market can be a nightmare, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the country’s rental laws and customs. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to find the perfect home in the Netherlands, from understanding rental agreements to choosing the right neighborhood for your lifestyle. And we will even introduce the dutchify way to beat the housing market so you don’t have to deal with the headache of searching for housing netherlands. 

Understand the Dutch housing market

Before you start your search for a home in the Netherlands, it’s important to understand the country’s housing market. The Dutch housing market is known for its high demand and limited supply, which can make finding a home challenging. Additionally, the rental laws and customs in the Netherlands may be different from what you’re used to in your home country. Take the time to research and understand the market before you begin your search to ensure a smoother process.

Determine your budget and housing preferences

Before you start your search for housing in the Netherlands, it’s important to determine your budget and housing preferences. Consider factors such as location, size, and amenities. Keep in mind that housing in popular areas such as Amsterdam and Utrecht may be more expensive than in smaller cities or rural areas. It’s also important to factor in additional costs such as utilities and maintenance fees. Once you have a clear idea of your budget and preferences, you can begin your search with more confidence.

Find a reliable real estate agent

Why Funda and Pararius are not working anymore

You’ve probably heard about Pararius and Funda from a friend or colleague who recently relocated to the Netherlands. And perhaps you are already searching these websites for house listings in the city where you want to relocate. But did you know that roughly half of all requests for houses on these websites go unanswered? Why? Because of the housing shortage in the Netherlands, realtors receive approximately 200 emails per day for each listing they advertise online. So you can imagine how busy these realtors become, making it impossible for them to respond to your requests. This 50% no response rate is destroying the usability of websites like Funda and Pararius because you simply never get a response.

Another major issue that these websites face is the rapid pace of the Dutch real estate market. When a listing is uploaded to the Funda and Pararius websites, it is marked as “New” to alert interested tenants that the property has recently become available. However, 9 times out of 10, the viewings will be fully booked by the time you contact the realtor. This is true even though Funda and Pararius have listed this property as “New” for several days. As you can see, the traditional method of searching for housing may not yield the desired results. And this has the potential to negatively impact your housing search for quite some time.

How dutchify’s solution is completely different from everything else

We understand that changing market conditions make it nearly impossible for expat newcomers to complete a house search. As a result, dutchify is constantly investing in new technology and redesigning our service process to adapt to difficult market conditions. A software script that runs continuously is an excellent example of the technology we recently introduced. This script is unique, and we use it every day to scan the housing market. The script provides us with real-time listings every minute of the day, allowing our agents to stay ahead of the market. We are occasionally able to list properties before websites have completed processing a listing that they accepted for uploading. Our script is simply faster and more efficient.

But what good is a perfect list of properties if you can’t get in touch with the realtors to arrange a viewing? You are correct, which is why dutchify is constantly expanding our partner network by adding new realtors to our list. Hundreds of partners are currently on our list, and each one provides us with a direct contact person to call or email. The end result? Your Dutchify agent can complete a viewing agenda of 10 viewings on one day with perfect properties that meet all of your requirements in one or two hours of searching. And our agents will continue to work for you until the job is completed. Giving you the best possible relocation to the Netherlands.

Understand rental agreements and tenant rights

Before signing a rental agreement in the Netherlands, it’s important to understand your rights as a tenant. Dutch law provides strong protections for renters, including limits on rent increases and requirements for landlords to maintain safe and habitable living conditions. Make sure to carefully review the terms of your rental agreement, including the duration of the lease, the amount of rent and any additional fees, and any restrictions on the use of the property. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask your real estate agent or a legal professional.

Explore different neighborhoods and their amenities

The Netherlands is a diverse country with many different neighborhoods to choose from. When searching for housing, it’s important to consider the amenities and services available in the surrounding area. For example, if you have children, you may want to look for a neighborhood with good schools and parks. If you enjoy nightlife, you may want to look for a neighborhood with bars and restaurants. Take the time to explore different neighborhoods and get a feel for the community before making a decision.