A Guide to Netherlands Housing

The Netherlands is densely populated and finding the right house for you can be a challenge.

If your expat assignment is a medium (three years) to long term one (more than five years) and you are looking at a property segment where the monthly rent is considerable, then buying maybe a good option for you.

If you are staying in the Netherlands for less than three years it may well be preferable to rent.

There are advantages to renting a home in the Netherlands: your landlord is responsible for the maintenance and any repairs to the property; your rent is generally fixed; and you are not dependent on fluctuations in the local housing market.

If you rent a furnished property you will also save yourself the hassle of shipping over your furniture or save money on buying pieces to furnish your new home.

Before you embark on the search for a new home, you need to ensure that you understand the mortgage process and the amount you can borrow to secure a property.

Help is on hand as there are specialists that assist expats with the financial aspects of the property buying process in the Netherlands. As a minimum you must be able to show your financial situation for the previous three years.

Also notable for Netherlands property purchases is that in addition to the agreed purchase price the buyer is subject to “buyer’s costs” (kosten koper) of 10% and this may need to be factored in to any mortgage application.

There is a significant amount of social housing in the Netherlands property market so the rental market is large compared to other European countries. Around a half of Netherlands homes are owner occupied. In Holland apartments are also in abundance because of the high population density.

To find Netherlands real estate that is for sale (te koop) or for rent (te huur) you should consult with the classifieds of local newspapers or search the internet. Good starting points are major websites such as www.funda.nl or www.jaap.nl, which give a good overview of Netherlands property - both the rental and buyer’s markets.

Agents specialised in helping expats find a place to rent are available but be aware that such agents will charge a finders fee (anything from one to two months rent); however, these experts know the rental market and will help you negotiate a good rental price.

There are also agents (makelaars) who can help you with finding a place to buy, as well as guide you through the buying process.

You should take the time to find out as much as you can about potential areas to call home. Websites such as www.funda.nl detail the demographics, average income and the average house prices in the surrounding area of the property you are looking at.

You can also contact the community police officer (wijkagent) who can advise you on crime in the local area and any particular issues.