Information for tenants | Apartments in Amsterdam
Information for tenants

Information for tenants  

 

1) Always work with a licensed rental agency

In Amsterdam, and this pretty much goes for every city, there are only so much licensed rental agents. Since the housingmarket involves payment of commission equal to 1 months rent , there are many "cowboys" without the nessassary license operating on the net, trying to convince you with a nice website, or a smooth talking rep. Don’t fall for it…. Licensed agents are better educated, maintain good relationships with houseowners and the city counsil, and usualy maintain a higher standard of integrity. They know what is legal or illegal, they have an office, a registration at the chamber of commerce, the pay taxes, and undergo the annual edition by the counsil,.. in other words, they have a lot to lose. If an agent ( In Amsterdam ) does not follow the guidelines for renting properties set by the city counsil, they can lose their license. And since you as a prospected tenant are in need of legal accommodation, you do the math.

2) Prepare your move to the Netherlands in advance

What we see happening on a regular basis, is that when expats are coming over to the Netherlands, they only then start worrying about getting a place to live. But since usually your employer expects you to start asap, this puts you under a lot of stress. We would advise travelling expats to allready commence their search in their home country by contacting a couple of agents to see what they have to offer in terms of accommodation and availability.

3) Set your maximum budget

We would advise you to set a maximum budget you want to spend on housing, and stick to it. Your monthly income should tell you what a responsible amount would be. Since, next to the rent, their allways are additional costs and fees involved, you will allways end up paying more then you have anticipated. Now, to start of your new carreer in a foreign country knowing that you might end up in debt, is a bad scenario no one wants to encounter. So set your max and stick to it.

4) Make sure you can provide all the paperwork involved

The most common paperwork you have to provide are:
A copy of your passport
A copy of your workingcontract
A bankstatement

Make sure you can provide these documents, since it will be a criterium for obtaining an apartment, part of the tenant screening procedure. If you travel without these documents, or are not in a position to deliver, you will most certainly be denied as the prospected tenant. And only then you are bound to end up in illegal rental situations such as sublet.

5) Investigate the different city area’s, and match them with your profile

Your new apartment should most of all fit your profile and make life easy. Use f.e google maps to find the adress of your work / employer, and decide how far an apartment can be situated, and decide on a radius, based on the form of transportation you are likely to use. Also, see what an area brings you in terms of shops, public transport, and just your regular social events like bars, restaurants, cinema etc. Try to find the best match between your needs and whishes.

6) Do not rush into signing a lease.

Signing a rental lease is like any other legal obligation. You are bound to Dutch law, and like every one else, in some circumstances you are liable. Therefor, don’t rush into signing a lease, even if the agent is telling you that this is your last chance, or this place with your name on it will be gone. Read the lease carefully, and if you don’t posses enough legal skills te determine if the lease is okay, you might want to take it with you and have HR take a look at it. An agent should not have a problem with providing you with a concept rental agreemment, if the terms and conditions in the lease are legal and hold up under Dutch law.

We hope these tips will enable you to plan your search for an apartment a little better. Perhaps a visit to the Expat centre Amsterdam can help you with immigration issues.

 

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