In need of a student room? Here are 8 tips to keep in mind

Here are 8 tips to help you stay out of trouble:

1. Watch out for scams. If you’re an international student new to the Netherlands, you might not know what a typical Dutch rental contract should look like. There are a lot of rental scams on Facebook. Warning signs include a foreign bank account number in the contract or a landlord saying, “You can transfer the money to my lawyer.” While not illegal, this isn’t standard practice in the Netherlands. Letting agents sometimes collect the rent, but always make sure everything checks out. Also, look at how the rent is broken down – Dutch contracts usually list kale huur (“basic rent”) and servicekosten (service charges) separately. Poor English is another red flag.
2. Short stay – yay or nay? If you haven’t found a place yet, short-term housing can be a temporary solution, but it’s not ideal in the long run. These places fall more under hotel or holiday letting rules and regulations, which offer less tenant protection. That said, already being in Maastricht does put you in a better position (literally) to find longer-term accommodation.
3. Who handles repairs? In the Netherlands, tenants are responsible for some minor repairs. But structural issues, like leaks or holes in the walls, are your landlord’s responsibility. When it comes to mould, it depends on the cause. If it’s due to a leak, your landlord must sort it out. But if it’s because you haven’t been ventilating properly, it’s on you. If you’ve got mice in your home, it’s initially your problem to deal with.
4. Your landlord can’t just walk in whenever they feel like it. If you’ve reported an issue and your landlord needs to make repairs, they must let you know when they plan to come over. This falls under what’s known as “good landlordship”. Under the new Good Landlordship Act, local authorities can take action against bad landlords by issuing warnings, penalties or fines for things like intimidation. For example, a male landlord can’t just let himself into a house shared by five female students. You can report these kinds of incidents to the municipality. They’ll investigate and take action if there’s enough evidence. So make sure to get as much proof as you can – witnesses, videos, anything that supports your case.
5. Get insured – it only costs a few euros. You’re liable for any damage you cause to the property, so liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering) is a must. Some rental contracts even require it. It’s also smart to take out contents insurance (inboedelverzekering) to protect your own belongings. Getting insured is quick and affordable, even for international students, and it could save you a lot of hassle.
6. Want your deposit back? Document everything. Some landlords unfairly withhold deposits by claiming you didn’t leave the room clean enough, for example. That’s why you should take lots of photos when you move in. Capture any existing damage – scratches on the floor, stains, marks, and so on. Dutch law says you must leave the property in the same condition as when you moved in, allowing for fair wear and tear. So before unpacking, take detailed photos of everything!
7. Never go to a viewing alone. Always bring someone with you when viewing a room. Two pairs of eyes are better than one – and you’ll likely feel more comfortable, too.
8. You don’t have to buy the previous tenant’s furniture. Some students are eager to sell their furniture to the next tenant. That’s all well and good if you both agree, but you’re under no obligation to say yes. The previous tenant must leave the room clean, so you can just tell them, “No thanks – please take your stuff with you.” Don’t let yourself get stuck with dirty or damaged furniture you don’t want!