When you decide to move to the Netherlands, one of the first items you’ll need to sort out is housing! Some expats choose for temporary solutions like AirBnB, or staying with friends for a few weeks while they look for available rentals. 

Whether you’d prefer to arrive in the Netherlands with a temporary solution and only start looking for rental properties once you’re here, or you’d prefer to have a rental contract signed before you arrive, we’ve got you covered!

You already know Cherene from Jelena’s journey of buying an apartment in the Netherlands as an expat. Today, we’ve put her in the hot seat to answer some of the most common questions you might have if you’re renting for the first time as an expat! 

1. Does having a real estate agent really give you access to properties that are not officially on the market yet? 

“Yes we often get contacted by our colleagues and offered properties before they come on the market. Homes for Expats has years of experience working in the real estate industry, and during this time, we have fostered strong relationships with our colleagues. Many times, the candidates we present for a property are chosen over other candidates due to our excellent work ethic and standards, the vetting of our clients, and the presentation of strong candidates with all the correct documentation. Our colleagues have peace of mind knowing that working with us will be another great success story. That’s why we can also often schedule viewings even when there are ‘officially’ no slots left.”

2. What are the three main things people should look out for in order to avoid rental scams? 

“1. If it is too good to be true then it is!
2. Read the fine print again and again and again before you sign anything.
3. Work with a reputable expat real estate agent

As a bonus tip, I’d also say – pay special attention to offers that you see in Facebook groups or on websites that are not meant for renting and buying properties. It’s so much easier for scammers to advertise on social media, and on websites like Marktplaats. If someone is asking you to pay a deposit without even having seen the property – that’s most likely a scam.”

3. Considering the housing shortage, what can expats do to ensure they find a rental property as quickly as possible? 

“Especially in the high-demand areas, you might need to offer to pay a higher deposit overbid on the rental price or  pay the rent upfront  for a number of months in advance. That could give you a competitive advantage  on the other bidders for  the rental property.

That’s another reason I suggest working with a reputable agent – we won’t just help you find a property faster, but we’ll be able to advise on what’s afair and competitive offer!”

4. Is it possible to find an apartment to rent even before you’ve physically relocated to the Netherlands?

“Yes it is. When you work with a real estate agent they can attend viewings on your behalf. They can also send you photos or videos from the viewing, provide you with the full information, and will also ask all the right questions so you can be sure you have all the information before you make the final decision.”

5. What is one question everyone should ask the landlord/letting agent before they decide a specific rental is a good opportunity? 

“Be very clear on the terms of engagement. Make sure you understand when you’ll get your deposit back, when does the rent increase and how often, and are utilities included.”

6. What’s the biggest mistake you see expats making when they’re looking for their first rental in the Netherlands?

“Not reading the fine print and trusting they are renting from a reputable landlord. Read the fine print, again and again and again! The Devil is in the details.”

7. Once you rent an apartment, how do you know who’s in charge of the repair costs?

“Usually, the tenant is liable for small costs like changing light bulbs and fixing washers on leaking taps. But if something like a leak in the roof appears, they need to get hold of their landlord ASAP and get it fixed – this is for the cost of the landlord. This should be detailed in the contract.”

8. If the rental listing says “unfurnished”, what items will you normally have to bring into the apartment before you can actually start living there? 

“One thing that expats are often surprised about is that some properties are being rented without floors or light fixtures! However, don’t worry, in most cases you’ll just need to bring your furniture. There should be floors, lights, built-in kitchen appliances and usually window coverings but this depends on the listing and is not always the case.”

Any questions we should have asked Cherene but we forgot? Please let us know!
And if you need a hand with your search for the perfect property, you can schedule a time to chat with the Homes for Expats team via their website.