The Hague is a nice and popular city to live in, but finding a student room is a challenge. Start your search early and be creative. On this page you will find tips and useful links to help you finding accomodation.

Websites to search for rooms

The KABK is not located on a campus and does not have student housing. You are therefore responsible for finding housing yourself. Most students find their place to live through word of mouth, so let your friends and family know that you are looking for a room.

There are many different websites where you can search for rooms. On some sites you have to pay to register. Sometimes you also pay mediation costs. Please note: we cannot guarantee the quality of these mediation agencies and platforms. So always be alert to slum landlords or scammers before you commit to anything.

When looking for a room

  • Students houses where each student has their own room and you share the bathroom and kitchen.
  • Student housing with single or shared rooms and shared facilities.
  • Landlord or host family: students rent one room and share the kitchen and bathroom with the owner of the house.

Hospiteren is a system used in many Dutch student houses to find a new housemate. Current occupants invite people responding to their advertisement for an introduction. The housemates then decide which person would best fit in their home. Generally you will be asked a number of questions about your hobbies, education, sports or other habits.

Be yourself and ask questions as well. It is an excellent opportunity to find out if the room and housemates suit you.

Please check the ISIC website for tips and information on hospiteren.

    • Do you live with other tenants? Or is it a room in the landlord's own residence?
    • Can you easily get into your own room? Or do you have to go through someone else's room first?
    • Is there a kitchen?
    • Is there a clean toilet and bathroom?
    • Are gas, water and electricity included in the price? Or is the rent 'bare'?
    • Is the room worth the price? Use the legal point system to calculate the maximum legal rent.
    • Make sure you've seen the room before you transfer rent or deposit.
    • Always ask for a receipt if you have to pay a deposit or rent.
    • Never transfer the rental amount for the entire rental period in one go.
    • Ask if you can register with the municipality at the address.

If you can't view the property yourself (because you're not in the Netherlands yet, for example), it's important to do your research and try to assess the quality of a room and the authenticity of an offer as best you can with the information you have at your disposal. Be alert to housing scams, such as:

  • When asked to transfer money to a "Money Transfer Agent" (e.g. Western Union or GWK) or asked to pay via Airbnb. Money should always be transferred to a Dutch bank account.
  • When asked to pay a deposit or a first month's rent and receive the keys by registered post. Never send a deposit before you have verified the property's existence and the owner's identity. If you are searching from abroad, always check the address on Google Maps to make sure it is an actual residential address. If possible ask someone you already know to view the place on your behalf. Ask for more information to clarify who you are dealing with. Ask for proof of identity, verify it and search the internet for the person or business.

    Watch this video for more tips on how to avoid being scammed:

    • Room prices start at around €400 and can go up to €1.000 for rooms.
    • The cost of internet, gas and electricity is not always included in the rent price.
    • Landlords usually require a deposit.

    The rooms and apartments offered on the private market are spread all over The Hague. Therefore, it can be useful to take a look at the website Studying in The Hague and do your own research on the internet to learn a bit more about the different districts of The Hague.

    If you are having a hard time finding suitable housing, you can also try neighbouring towns Leidschendam, Voorburg, Rijswijk, Ypenburg and Nootdorp. Remember to take into account the distance from your room/apartment to the academy and the transportation costs if you are not biking to school.

    Have you found a room? Make sure you get a rental contract. According to Dutch law, people who live in the Netherlands for more than four months are required to register with the municipality at their home address. Without a contract, you cannot register with the municipality. In addition, with a contract you are entitled to rent protection. For example, you cannot simply be evicted from your room.

    On the website of the central government you will find useful information about rental contracts. On Kamer.nl you can download a standard rental contract.

    When you've found a room

    It is always important to read your contract carefully through, especially the small print. As these documents are usually written in Dutch, it is advisable to have the contract read by a Dutch speaker if possible. You can always try to translate the document with an online translation tool.

    Here are the main key points to look out for:

    • Make sure both yours and your landlord’s name and signature are mentioned in the contract.
    • What are the rental requirements? What documents do you need to be able to apply for the accommodation? Think about a copy of your passport, proof of enrolment at your university, a work contract, and/or payslip).
    • Can you register with the municipality of The Hague at this address?
    • Is the apartment/room offered furnished or unfurnished?
    • What is the amount of the rent, how often and when it should be paid?
    • Is gas, heating, water and internet included in the rent? If not, how much do they cost per month? (If gas, heating, and water are included in the rent, this means that you will be making an advanced payment. So if you have a habit of taking long showers or leaving the heating on all day, the landlord may charge you for the extra usage).
    • Are there any additional fees or taxes included? For example, water and garbage fees, commissions to a mediating agent, website registration fees, or reservation fees for booking a room?
    • What is the duration of the tenancy? Under what circumstances can you stay longer or shorter than stated in the agreement? What is the notice period you and your landlord need to give to end the tenancy?
    • What is the cost of the deposit and under what circumstances can you get it back? Ask for a receipt when paying a deposit.
    • Report your change of address to the municipality you are moving to.
    • Report your change of address to the university and other institutions.
    • Report your new living situation to DUO.
    • Register with a new GP, dentist, pharmacy in your area.
    • If necessary, use the PostNL Moving Service.

    The Rental Helpdesk (Huurbalie) of the municipality of The Hague provides tenants and landlords in The Hague's private rental sector with free advice and information. For example, on questions about contracts or maintenance.

    For more information or help see also: https://www.denhaag.nl/en/moving-and-immigration/housing/rental-helpdesk-huurbalie.htm

    It may be possible that you are eligible for receiving rent benefit/housing allowance (in Dutch: Huurtoeslag) from the Dutch government. The best way to find out whether you are entitled to an allowance is the calculation tool on the website of the Dutch Tax Administration. The tool is available only in Dutch, yet you can check out the information and step by step guide provided on studenthousingthehague.com or www.iamexpat.nl.

    The Good Landlordship Act applies as of 1 July 2023. This law is intended to prevent undesirable behavior by landlords. Such as asking for too high a deposit, charging unfair service charges, discriminating and threatening. The Good Landlordship Act contains rules that landlords must adhere to. If a landlord is not work according to these rules, the municipality can issue a warning or fine. Tenants can report unwanted behavior from landlords.

    For more information visit:

    Discount & special arrangements

    Students who find they have nowhere to stay upon their arrival in the Netherlands may be able to book into Stayokay Hostel Den Haag, a Hostelling International youth hostel in The Hague. Stayokay Hostel Den Haag offers 50 rooms, with space for 220 guests in total.

    Students registered at KABK can stay at Stayokay Hostel Den Haag with 10% discount, including breakfast, clean sheets, free Wi-Fi and luggage storage. In order to claim their discount, students should book online and at the Discounts section, enter the following Coupon Code: KONCON2025

    Regulations:
    · Only valid for online bookings at Stayokay Hostel Den Haag
    · Only valid at Stayokay Hostel Den Haag and based on availability
    · Not valid on already made bookings or other promotions
    · Valid from 1 January to 31 December 2025
    · Only valid for shared rooms and two-bedded private rooms
    · Maximum stay: one week (students who wish to extend their stay, should contact denhaag@stayokay.com)
    · At check-in, students can be asked to present some proof of their registration at KABK (for example: acceptance email, proof of enrolment, etc.)

    For more information and bookings:

    Stayokay Hostel Den Haag
    Scheepmakersstraat 27
    2515 VA DEN HAAG
    +31 70 315 7888
    denhaag@stayokay.com
    Stayokay Hostel Den Haag

    www.room.nl

    Go through a helpful step-by-step plan to see how you can find a room through ROOM.

    Registration at ROOM will cost you €35 and gives you an 8 year subscription. When you fill out your country of current residence and it is outside the Netherlands, you’ll be eligible for priority. Find information about how the priority scheme works here.

    Links to third-party websites provided above are listed for your convenience and information only. Responsibility for the contents found under the external links lies solely with the respective website provider.

    Questions?

    Contact

    For more information please contact us via e-mail at studentenadministratie@kabk.nl
    and/or international@kabk.nl.

    Exchange students can contact us at exchange@kabk.nl

    More useful websites

    www.studyinthehague.com

    www.studyinnl.org

    Nuffic podcast: finding student housing in the Netherlands

    Dutch Student Union Housing Hotline