Housing & rent

Where to start

Housing in the Netherlands means municipal or private shelter (opvang), renting on the open market and everything that comes with it: registering at your address, the contract, utilities and tenant rights. The guides here cover each stage.

1. Register at your address. Registration in the BRP at your gemeente is the basis for your BSN, DigiD, insurance and allowances. When you move, report it to the gemeente within five days.
2. Understand the contract. In private rentals, check the contract type, term, deposit (normally no more than two months’ rent) and what the price includes. Disputes over rent and service are handled by the Huurcommissie.
3. Count huurtoeslag and running costs. An independent home with a contract may qualify for huurtoeslag; energy, water and municipal taxes come on top. Compare suppliers before signing an energy contract.
4. Know the opvang rules. Municipal shelter has its own house rules, and residents with an income pay an own contribution (eigen bijdrage). The gemeente sets the details and amounts.

Useful pages: Which toeslag applies to you · Survey 2026 — 2 minutes