Housing for Students

Anyone moving to the North needs to be aware that there is a housing shortage throughout the Netherlands, especially in the cities. So it is strongly advised to look for accommodation as soon as possible and absolutely before you arrive here. 

University Housing

In Groningen, SSHXL provides furnished housing for international students. They have around 1,300 rooms which are mostly intended for exchange and first year students, but they also have some dedicated housing for PhD candidates. University of Groningen and Hanze students can register for a room in the fall semester through SSH from 25 April, and for the spring semester on 11 October.

In Leeuwarden, Emmen and Meppel, NHL Stenden works with Student Stay, which provides guaranteed university housing for students who register before 1 July.

Other Types of University Housing

Other student-specific accommodation in Groningen is short stay, including The Social Hub and Blockhouse. These spots are meant for short-term tenants (maximum one year).

Rental properties

Sites like Funda (only available in Dutch), Pararius or Huurwoningen.nl list the latest rental properties available in your area, but they are not exclusively student-focused properties. If you have specific accommodation needs, you should consider going to a rental agent (makelaar) near you.

Avoid scams!

Due to the shortage of available rooms, housing scams unfortunately happen from time to time. At Home in Groningen has information which is applicable for the whole north about how to recognize a housing scam. They also have a hotline that you can contact with questions about student housing.

The main points for avoiding scams:

1. Check the landlord’s name online to make sure they are not a known scammer
2. Do not send a scan of your passport
3. Do not pay in cash
4. Do not make a deposit, or send any kind of money, before viewing and signing a contract
   (You can find the full list at the Avoid Scamming section of the At Home in Groningen site.)

Types of accommodation

In the Netherlands, university students are not typically housed on campus. Most students live in a student house with separate bedrooms for up to six students with a shared kitchen, shower and toilet. Many student houses are affiliated with certain fraternities, and are effectively only available to members of the association. Student apartments also usually have shared kitchen and toilets, and cost slightly less than flats on the private market. University-provided housing is more like typical dormitories in other countries, but is located in the city and is not always near the faculty where you may be studying.

Housing prices

Housing prices can vary a lot, based on their size, neighbourhood and conditions. On average, renting a room in a student house will range between €500 and 800. However, you should check with the Huurcommissie (rent commission) whether the rent you are being charged is correct for the room (based on floor space and other amenities).

Decorating your room

When you have found a room, you probably still need furniture to make it feel like home. Second hand shops (kringloopwinkels) are a popular place to pick up affordable used furniture, and for new furniture, the nearest IKEA is located in Groningen.

Support

Dutch law has many rules that protect your rights as a tenant. For questions regarding your rental contract in Groningen, you can contact rental law consultancy Frently that will help with any kind of rental issues.

The Huurcommissie (rent commission) provides legal support nationwide. The Legal Support Office (Juridisch Loket) has offices in the three biggest cities in the Northern Netherlands, namely Groningen, Leeuwarden, and Emmen.