3 Tricks to Rent An Apartment in The Netherlands As An Expat in 2024 | SECRETS | Expat Life

[@issamfayad9974]

This video probably one of the most useful guides on how to rent apart/house in NL. I have seen tons of contents but the info appears in this video really helped me to secure a house within 1 month after started to apply tricks while I was failing getting any useful reaction from landlords/agents in the previous 4 months.

[@anabusinesstips]

Yay, thank you so much for your feedback! So glad it helped!

[@DamaxThomas]

Great video. I got a lot more information about the first contact to realtor than anywhere else. Great job

[@anabusinesstips]

Thank you!

[@LJIsak]

So if you need 3 months of salary slips to get an apartment, how is an expat relocating to Amsterdam supposed to find an apartment when he/she gets there?

[@anabusinesstips]

For newcomers, it's even easier. You normally just need to attach your contract. And if your contract is permanent, you won't come across any additional challenges😊

[@VattsYT]

@@anabusinesstipsWhat do you mean contract? I don't have a job in the Netherlands yet, I can only find one once I have moved to the netherlands

[@JaneP-xj4in]

@@anabusinesstips problem: companies hardly ever give permanent contracts. i for example.. i am dutch..i am relocating again.. i used to live there for 20 years.. and left during covid due to circumstances. now i want to go back and it seems almost impossible to get a place to rent..so i can have an address so i can find a job..

[@jomsm.1495]

Thank you very much this!! This is the most informative video I ever watched!! Hope your channel continues to grow, you have a very good content!! 🎉

[@anabusinesstips]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Good luck with renting an apartment in NL!

[@tnickknight]

Thanks very useful!, It also shows how truly bad the housing situation has gotten in the Netherlands. The government should be ashamed.

[@anabusinesstips]

Thank you! It seems that the situation is bad both for landlords and for tenants. Landlords are freaking out because they're afraid of irresponsible tenants, and tenants can't just find anything because the choice is too small and it's just so hard. What makes me feel hope for the best is the fact that no matter how long it takes, everyone eventually finds their place❤

[@tnickknight]

Actually, they don't. Many have to pay far more and live far from their desired location. Not everyone has money to throw at the issue. Now it's two times the rent, a letter with pictures begging the landlord, after getting lucky just to view the flat. That is the Reality for normal people. @@anabusinesstips

[@JaneP-xj4in]

yes it has been bad .. it's always been bad but now it is even worse. especially the scams... crazy !

[@markkuuss]

LOL you got me really worried. You and you partner have a great profile, especially in the presentation at the end. So if even you guys had trouble finding a place, I guess I really need another plan.

[@anabusinesstips]

We got a whole lot of other issues. For instance, when we moved here, we were both entrepreneurs, which automatically puts us behind everyone who has a temporary or permanent working contract.

[@buketparmaksiz8096]

Hi Ana, thanks for the video. Great tips. What is current status about renting? Still same craziness? Or a bit improved? I am trying to rent one before I physically move but it seems difficult based on your experience. If I find a hotel or airbnb, which period should I consider as a minimum stay? Thanks again Buket

[@anabusinesstips]

Hi Buket, thanks for the kind words. It has become more expensive. I'd say if your budget is above average, moving in before you arrive to the country might be an option because you don't have competition. If you have an average budget, renting online will not be an option. To give you a ballpark, above average would be 3500+ in Amsterdam or 2500-3000 in the other cities. I'd consider booking a hotel for at least a month if you have a valid working contract in the Netherlands and 2 months if your situation is different.

[@marinaditullio8677]

This video was incredibly helpful, thank you so much!

[@anabusinesstips]

Glad it helped!😊

[@Gbsvsjxjxm]

Thank you , it's really helpful❤

[@anabusinesstips]

Thank you for letting me know🤗Glad it helped!

[@johnveerkamp1501]

Learn so fast as possible the language. it makes it so much easier !!!!!

[@diegodiego4522]

Ja, ik denk dat ik allen nederlands leer om snel een huis te vinden 😢😢😢

[@Kipitreel_]

What do you do for a living in Netherlands

[@SammyDfromTN]

Would it help if you offered to pay the total amount of the full lease for the property upfront? If you pay the entire year’s rent upfront? Thank you!

[@anabusinesstips]

Sometimes it helps, but not in as many cases as you would think. For some reason, people are really hesitant to accepting these big payments. I guess one of the reasons is taxes

[@kristinapetkovic4585]

Hi! Can I rent without BSN, register at the address than take my BSN? How to fix this problem

[@anabusinesstips]

You can first get a BSN and register at a temporary address (some coworkings and short-term accommodations provide this opportunity, it's called correspondence address), then when you rent an apartment you register at the new address.

[@kristinapetkovic4585]

@anabusinesstips Thank you very much 🥰

[@giulianojahn]

Thank you so much for this video! I've recently started sending out my applications for apartments in the Hague and I'm definitely going to start using these tips! Would you say that it's possible to find places for under 800€ too?

[@anabusinesstips]

That is a price of a shared room. An apartment would be at least 1k I believe.

[@puccistudio]

How did you manage to work with all the viewings? I mean: did you ask for time off or was the employer sympathetic enough to understand if you were gone an hour or so?

[@anabusinesstips]

I'm an entrepreneur and I work from home so it wasn't an issue. But I hear your pain❤Good luck with finding a perfect apartment!

[@puccistudio]

@@anabusinesstips Thank you!☠️

[@albbaaaaa]

hi! im currently doing a paid internship and i will graduate in june. i'm planning on starting to look for jobs in amsterdam in may and summer and i'm positive i will get a job but i'm scared i won't be able to show the landlord any previous salary slips. will it be enough with the contract? thanks!

[@anabusinesstips]

It's gonna be fine! Especially if you get a permanent contract. In fact, having a job contract is more important than salary slips🤗

[@OliverSept]

Ana, thank you very much. This is extremely helpful. ❤

[@anabusinesstips]

Glad it helped🤗

[@amityboy14mo]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@rawalrudrabhojbhati1540]

The crazy demand is generally for affordable apartments, or also for 5-6k EUR/month+ apartments too ?

[@anabusinesstips]

If you have a budget of 5-6k/month, you will easily find one. You might even negotiate! I guess even at 3k (outside Amsterdam) there is hardly a line of candidates😊

[@Trompetenhut]

Do you handover the documents on the viewing printed out or do you send the documents online via E-Mail? Thank you

[@anabusinesstips]

You send them via email (or via the agency's website) after the viewing.

[@amy03148]

Hii! I’ve got a question how do people that don’t live in the Netherlands manage to see the house and sign contracts and everything? Do you have to be there and then you can start looking for houses?. Cause I’m looking for houses and they usually respond that we have to view the house but we’re not there physically so therefore we cannot view the house in person, now me and my family don’t know what to do. Can someone help us out please??

[@anabusinesstips]

My understanding is that you have two options. First, you book a hotel/AirBnB for the first month and then search for the accommodation. That's what I did. Second, you can ask for an online viewing. A realtor will then visit the place and show it online. However, the second option will mostly work with the apartments priced above the market. It's very hard (=almost impossible) to arrange an online viewing for a cheaper apartment just because from day 1 there's a line of 100 people. Another option to secure an online viewing is looking for accommodation outside Randstad, in smaller cities. I remember we once wanted to rent in Leeuwarden and the realtor did an online viewing for us just because there was no one else interested😊

[@amy03148]

@@anabusinesstips thank you so much, it’s really helpful ☺️☺️

[@lectriosemire]

Thanks this really helpful I wanted to ask this same question I am kind of in a similar situation

[@teyachatila8318]

Hi! Love your advice! I was just wondering about renting an apartment as a student. Is it possible if the student isn't working but their parents have 8x the salary for covering the rents costs?

[@anabusinesstips]

Absolutely! You should have zero problems in this scenario

[@daygarr316]

Hello! I just contacted someone in a facebook group, how could I identify if it is legit or a potential scam? Thanks so much in advance 😊

[@anabusinesstips]

From what I know, there are lots of scams in Facebook groups. Make sure you don't transfer any money in advance. Check whether you can really register at this address (just ask them directly) because some people try to rent out apartments without permission. Stay safe!

[@PhucNguyen-yn7ng]

In my case, I am a student but too old (35yrs) for renting in a student house. How can I have those documents? Please share your experiences. Thank you!

[@anabusinesstips]

These documents are not obligatory, yet they increase your chances. You can show your savings. Students often enclose their parents/legal guardian proof of income, so that might help too.

[@PhucNguyen-yn7ng]

@@anabusinesstips thank you! That helps me a lot!

[@maramalmansour834]

Hello. is it possible to skip the viewing since i live in another country?

[@anabusinesstips]

In a smaller city outside Randstad - yes. In Randstad (Ams, The Hague, Utrecht, Leiden, Rotterdam) you'll manage to get an online viewing only if the accommodation is over the average market price (somewhat around 3k+ for Amsterdam and 2k+ for the smaller cities). In any other scenario that will be extremely difficult.

[@AlrightWait-]

Hey! I just got a job offer and will be moving to Amsterdam from Canada around July-September. I was offered 50k/year so definitely won’t have 3x the rent. Am I going to be screwed looking for an apartment? Also how long should I expect to be in a airbnb/hotel before I find a place? Thanks!!!

[@anabusinesstips]

If your contract is a permanent one, you'll definitely find an apartment. But to be on the safe side, I'd expect to keep looking for 1 month. If you have any kind of special criteria (only in a specific neighborhood, for instance), I'd expect it to be more. With your salary (if that's gross) you can rent something around 1,200 EUR, but its not going to be Amsterdam as rent in Amsterdam starts from 2,000. I'd expect to rent something in Leiden, for instance, although I have to say, there's a lot of competition in this segment. However, if you have a permanent contract, you'll be fine!

[@chrisofhearts22]

What If i am going to the Netherlands to find a job and i dont have the income requirements. Where can I live?

[@anabusinesstips]

If you're not from Europe, most will visas require you to get a job first (this will mean that you will have a contract, even if it's a preliminary one). You also attach your savings in this case.

[@simonalillian2106]

hey Ana great video!! i have a question maybe you know: i've got all the necessary documents and requierments sorted except for the KVK extract and im a little confused because i have a german company and i am not planning on working or selling/trading goods and services in NL just moving there for my partner. Do i need to register with KVK if i dont own a business in NL or work there? is it necessary in this case, thank you lots!

[@anabusinesstips]

Thank you for your kind words! As far as I know, if you don't plan to move your business to The Netherlands, you don't need to register in the KVK or open a business here. When applying for an apartment, just enclose your salary/revenue statements from your company in Germany. Honestly, I don't think that you will have any issues with it.

[@tiffanysoto4372]

Hi, I'm relocating to Netherlands from Spain. I have signed a contract with a dutch company, but it's initially for one year. Do you think I would have a problem with that when finding a home? Also my partner is moving out with me, but he will keep his job in Spain and work remotely.

[@anabusinesstips]

I don't think you'll have any problems at all! That combo might be a bit challenging for buying a house, but for renting its perfectly realistic. Buena suerte!

[@alhagiedrammeh1010]

Ciao ANA, my name is Alhagie Drammeh and I live in Italy. But I want to move to Netherland. But first let’s me know how can I get started in Netherland . Thank you.

[@anabusinesstips]

Great to have you here Alhagie!

[@leylayang4797]

I found a room but they don't request any information from me like salary or ID, is this weird

[@sunnysaggu830]

Good

[@zecanafaixa]

Hi ana im thinking going to the netherlands are you portugues ana ? Thank you

[@CatharinaKoenheim]

The Dutch laws for renting out is too hard on landlords. The law is always on the side of tennants. You basically have no rights and can't even evict bad tennants unless you go to court and even then it is questionable a judge will agree to end the contract if you haven't build an extensive dossier on the tennant. Try the personal approach if you are a foreigner and seek out the owner. If they like you, they might put you at the top of the list. Espcially if you want to rent a certain period. Let's be honest, they want someone that gives them a hassle free experience. Weare renting out a don't ask how you are going to pay the rent, but do require a down payment in case you leave and still owe rent or created damage to the property.

[@anabusinesstips]

Thanks for sharing, this is really useful❤ One thing I'm sad about is that the majority of tenants (especially expats) still just want to find a nice apartment and a nice landlord and provide that hassle-free experience because they value this new life very much and would never jeopardize it by not paying rent, for instance. Yet due to some rent incidents involving dishonest people everyone's wary. My heart goes with the both sides, I totally understand why it's this way, just wish that was easier for both sides to find one another!

[@ThePeople-sf6yt]

Asylum seekers can’t take rent house ?

[@christinelouise4576]

i love this country but serusly im doing this for almos 3 months now dont feel like im getting nothing soon 😔

[@anabusinesstips]

I hear your pain... It's a nightmare. Don't give up though! I also believed it would be impossible to find anything, but I did eventually after 2.5 months. You can do this too!

[@LivingOrganismFromMarsAndVenus]

Where do you live while looking for an apartment? Any hotel room, Airbnb? I saw that Airbnb comes out very expensive for one month (above 3200$) just a very small studio around Amsterdam.

[@christinelouise4576]

@@LivingOrganismFromMarsAndVenus i live in a student building but i am looking for a house to stay permanentely, but i do have my parents house in luxembourg as well so maybe that will be an option keep looking from distance, btw still dindt got it got my first visit recentely after 5 months looking for it

[@williamgeardener2509]

This video was made 1 year ago. In the meantime the situation has changed dramatically. There are almost no houses left and the few that are available are only for sale, not for rent. This means that prices are going through the roof and buyers are bidding insane amounts of money, well over the asking price. Contrary what this video wants you to believe, there are no shortcuts to secure yourself a place to live. You have to join the long line of people waiting. Some of them are already waiting 15 years for a house. What makes you think that someone who just came to the Netherlands gets prioritised when it comes to housing?

[@anabusinesstips]

Sounds like you're mostly focused on buying a house, not renting, and I agree that buying a house is getting out of hand with these overbids. However, I'd definitely argue with the point that it's impossible to rent nowadays. Difficult? Yes, because there are 100 candidates per house/apartment. Depends on your budget? Yes, crazy competition in Amsterdam and cheap housing. Yet you can still rent, and there's not much choice for a lot of people coming to the Netherlands

[@aygennegya]

The 10-15 year wait time is for social housing. My company brings expats around twice a year. They find houses within 4-5 weeks. It is still painful of course but not 15 year painful (if you have the requirements in this video - 3x salary/ secure job)

[@williamgeardener2509]

@@aygennegya Your talking about rents starting at €1500 per month. Not really an option for students and people without a company to to pay the rent for them.

[@TheSimArchitect]

6:04 if you have all that you're usually looking to get a mortgage instead of renting something. Just saying... 😬 The problem is that artificial scarcity makes reality as you accurately present. Renting a place to live is like applying for a job (if not harder). On top of it, if you're not on social housing they are free to rise your rent after a year (I am unsure if they recently placed restrictions on that), so you might move in, stay for a year, be surprised with a 20% yearly increase or the choice to move and go through the same process all over. On top of it, it's just very difficult to rent anything if you don't have fixed income or a permanent contract and social housing has a decade long waiting list. Sad. Thankfully I am ok otherwise I'd not even bother moving to The Netherlands anymore. The price range you mention should be enough for a house, not an apartment, unless you need an expensive location. 🤔

[@wagwangal79]

I’ve been looking for 3 months now and I’m at a point of giving up. Living in the Netherlands doesn’t make any sense unfortunately. You’ll be so stressed unless you own a home or have an indefinite rental contract.

[@anabusinesstips]

I feel for you. There were times I felt just like this. Totally agree that this system is crazy. The fact that you can only rent a place for 1 or 2 years and then start over again is just nightmare. Don't give up! I found an apartment when I gave up hope that it was ever possible, so I'm sure you can too. What's your major challenge?

[@wagwangal79]

@@anabusinesstips Thanks so much for your encouragement. My challenge is that I just started a new recently job with a 1 year contract and I’m looking to rent as a single person so I feel like a couple has more of a better chance because of the double income. I’ll take it easy for now and see what the outcome is.

[@sunnysaggu830]

Hi

[@LivingOrganismFromMarsAndVenus]

What if someone is single mom and has a kid and a pet?

[@anabusinesstips]

I'd say it'll be challenging because of the pet. On the bright side,as far as I'm concerned the Dutch have a deep sense of fairness and giving the apartment to someone who needs it most. So I'd remain hopeful, definitely!

[@asenakos1312]

Is it worth paying those websites, you’re not just promoting them, right?!

[@anabusinesstips]

Funda and Pararius are free. Those are the two most popular platforms for finding housing in the Netherlands. They're really huge. I wish they were paying me for the promotion😊

[@frknaydn]

i feel like we are not renting. We are begging with stupid amount of money. Weird....

[@anabusinesstips]

I would love it to be different too, buuut...

[@siomeaasfosafja]

you're weird. not in a good way

[@anabusinesstips]

😆

[@m_Salmxn_x]

Hi