Since it may not be possible to see the room or apartment before you come to the Netherlands, it is important to do your homework and try to judge the quality of a room and the authenticity of an offer as best you can with the information at hand. Please be alert to some common rental scam activities, 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.
  Don’t 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 €1.500 for apartments.
• 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 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.

According to Dutch law, people who live in the Netherlands for more than four months are obliged to register with the municipality at their home address. Without a contract, you will not be able to register with the municipality.

One of the most important reasons to register is that you will then receive your BSN number (personal public service number), which you need for all your administration in the Netherlands. This includes opening a bank account, visiting a doctor, getting health insurance, and applying for benefits. You should therefore insist on getting a rental contract or tenancy agreement.

Contracts can be long and boring reads but it is always important to read them 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. A little bit of effort here can save you a lot of trouble in the future.

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?
• Are utilities and services 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 I get it back?

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

• the website of the municipality:
  • https://www.denhaag.nl (information in Dutch)
  • https://www.denhaag.nl/en/ (information in English)
• the Public Housing website of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK):
  • https://www.volkshuisvestingnederland.nl/ (information in English)

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

Students registered at the Royal Academy of Art can stay at Stayokay Den Haag with 10% discount, including welcome drink, breakfast, clean sheets, free Wi-Fi and storage for musical instruments. In order to claim their discount, students should book online and mention the following code: KONCON2024.

Regulations:

• Only valid for online bookings at Stayokay Den Haag
• Only valid at Stayokay Den Haag and based on availability
• Not valid on already made bookings or other promotions
• Valid from 1 January to 31 December 2023
• Only valid for shared rooms and two-bedded private rooms
• At check-in, students can be asked to present some proof of their registration at the Royal Academy of Art (for example: acceptance letter, student card, etc.)
  

Longstay options:

If you would like to stay longer than a few days, these are the prices we have agreed on with Stayokay.

NOTE: these prices are for shared rooms. It might be nice to find some classmates to room with.

Stayokay prices June-September 2023 - Shared room:

If you would like to make use of this, please book through denhaag@stayokay.com and mention that you are a student at KABK.

For more information and bookings:

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

www.room.nl

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

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.