Housing
Once you have registered and been admitted for a study programme at NHL Stenden, you should start looking for accommodation. In the Netherlands, you need to arrange housing yourself: it’s not arranged by the university. That said, NHL Stenden does have official accommodation partners so you can be assured of a certain quality and service, as well as peace of mind.
Housing assured
Finding accommodation in the north of the Netherlands is fairly easy. We still recommend you start looking for housing as soon as possible - that way you can make the best choice for you! Our housing partner in Leeuwarden can actually guarantee accommodation for our first-year international students under certain conditions. And in Emmen and Meppel, there's enough choice for everyone. You can find more information and tips to help you find housing in your student city by clicking on the campus location at the bottom of the page.
Housing Webinar
Types of accommodation
In the Netherlands, students usually rent a room in a shared house or apartment with other students, but you could also rent a one-bedroom or studio apartment. Student accommodation is usually provided by real estate agents or private landlords who advertise their rooms on different platforms.
In the Netherlands, you will generally be asked to sign a lease of at least 12 months and pay a deposit of at least one month’s rent. The rent is usually paid per month.
More room for your money
In the north of the Netherlands, accommodation is easier to find and far more affordable than in other parts of the country. In fact, studies show you get more space for your money in the north. And according to Booking.com’s traveller review awards for 2024, Friesland is one of the most welcoming destinations in the world
Housing benefit
If you rent self-sufficient accommodation with your own bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, you may be entitled to rent benefit in the Netherlands. It depends on your income and how much rent you pay, but can be a big help towards covering your costs. You can find out more information on the Dutch government website and about particular conditions on the Dutch tax office website.
Good news from 2026! The conditions are changing so more students are more likely to get housing benefit. It now better covers people with low income but high rent and young people will be entitled to full housing benefit from a younger age, namely 21. If you’re younger than 21, you may be entitled to benefit if your rent is higher than a certain amount. At the moment, the conditions are only available in Dutch on the government website’s Q&A, but we’ll keep you posted (and you can always use AI to translate the page 😉).
Advice on looking for accommodation
The summer months and the start of the academic year are the busiest times for finding rooms so make sure you start early. We’re confident our accommodation partners are reliable and highly recommend them. If you’re planning on renting through the private market or see something on social media, then there are a few things you should bear in mind:
- Make sure you stay alert, visit the room beforehand and always read your contract very carefully. If it looks too good to be true (the photos, the area or the rent), be particularly cautious. Get help from a Dutch speaker if you can – you could even ask them to go to the viewing with you.
- Avoid identity theft and never send a copy of your passport or ID to strangers.
- Use official websites or companies you can trace and be aware of scammers. Don’t pay anything before you have a written contract and make sure you get a receipt of payment.
- Check the proprietor has the right permit for what they are renting, for instance if it’s a room in a building with three or more residents.
- Keep a check on any agency costs or rental fees charged by commercial agencies and private landlords.
- Remember that cancelling accommodation could cost you money. You might lose your deposit or have to pay a cancellation fee, so check the contract conditions carefully. This applies to housing found through our partners and on the private market.
