This is how renting your own home works in the Netherlands if you have temporary protection

In the Netherlands there are two 2 types of rental properties:

• Social rental properties

Social rental properties often have lower rent than properties in the private sector. However, certain conditions apply to social rental properties. There are also very long waiting lists for social rental properties: 7 years on average.

• Private-sector rental housing.

Rental properties in the

Do you have temporary protection (TPD)? If so, you’re allowed to live and work in the Netherlands, but you do not have a

In many municipalities, you need a housing permit to rent a social rental property. Without a residence permit, you cannot apply for a

In about half of the municipalities in the Netherlands, such a housing permit is required. Want to know if a housing permit is required in your municipality? Check this website to find out how. Or ask your municipality.

The waiting times for a social rental property are long: 7 years on average. That is why many people register with the housing association at a young age. This means it is difficult to find a place to live quickly.

Is a housing permit not required in your municipality? If so, you may be eligible for a social rental property. You must then meet the following requirements:

• You must register with a housing association or another organisation that provides social housing. You can check with your municipality to see which organisations these are.

• Housing associations may set requirements for the size of your family or the amount of your income. You must meet these requirements if you want to rent from this housing association.

• To get social housing, you must not earn too much. The government sets the income limit every year. Housing associations must adhere to this limit.

The income limit for 2025 is:

• Single person: Your gross annual income must not exceed €49,669.

• Two or more people in your household: Your combined gross annual income must not exceed €54,847.

• This income is your total income as reported to the

  Dutch tax authorities
  . Housing associations verify this information. Therefore, you must provide an
  income statement
  from the Dutch tax authorities when you apply for housing. This is how the government ensures that affordable housing goes to people with low incomes.

For people facing a very serious problem, whether due to medical reasons or a divorce, there is sometimes the urgent housing programme. With an urgent housing declaration, you will receive priority for a social rental property and will not have to wait as long. Submitting an application is difficult and is only possible in cases of serious problems. You cannot submit this application on your own.

When is it appropriate, and when is it not?

• Urgent situations: You have a serious problem that you cannot resolve on your own. For example, if your home is unsafe due to violence, or if you can no longer live in your home for medical reasons.

• Not urgent: You will not be granted urgent housing need if your situation is not serious enough. For example, if you would rather live somewhere else, your home is too small or you can no longer afford the rent. Even in the case of a divorce, you will only be granted urgent housing need if minor children are involved.

For rental properties in the private sector, waiting times are slightly shorter, but rents are much higher than for social housing. For rental units in the private sector, no housing permit is required.

Private-sector housing is not subject to many of the requirements that apply to social rental properties. For example, there is no maximum rent, and there are fewer rules governing rent increases. You are also generally not eligible for rent assistance when living in private-sector housing. Read more about rent assistance in this article on RefugeeHelp.

Furthermore, with private sector housing, there are differences in the state in which a property is rented. For example, there are:

1. Bare homes: a bare home has no permanent flooring, lighting, wallpapered or painted walls and (sometimes) no built-in kitchen. So factor in additional costs for furnishing your home.

2. Semi-furnished apartments: a semi-furnished apartment comes with permanent flooring, curtains or blinds, lighting, and usually a kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, hob, extractor fan and an oven and/or microwave. You are responsible for furnishing the rest of the apartment yourself.

3. Furnished apartments: a furnished apartment comes with permanent flooring, curtains or blinds, lighting, and a kitchen. The apartment also includes furniture such as a dining table, chairs, a sofa, cabinets, and, in many cases, a bed. You can often discuss with the landlord whether you want to keep all the furniture in the apartment.

The requirements for renting a private-sector property may vary by landlord. Below are the most common requirements:

• A valid ID from your country of origin

• A gross income from employment of at least three times the rent

• Paying a deposit equal to 1 to 3 times the monthly rent

Sometimes private-sector landlords impose requirements that they are not legally permitted to impose. If you are unsure whether your landlord is imposing such requirements, you can contact Het Juridisch Loket

There are several providers of private-sector housing. There are usually no waiting lists, but the demand for affordable housing is very high. So it can take a long time to find a suitable and affordable home.

• This is how to find a home in the private sector:

Real estate agents: Real estate agents sometimes list rental properties owned by private individuals. Contact a real estate agent in your area to inquire about suitable properties.

Ads: You can find private-sector housing through social media groups (such as Facebook) and on websites like Funda, Pararius, Trovit and Kamernet.

Housing associations: Sometimes housing associations also offer private-sector housing. You usually do not need to register for these. Check the website of a housing association in your area.

Please note: Be careful with housing listings on Facebook and Marktplaats. Check to see if the photos and description match. Do not pay a deposit before you have seen the property and signed a lease. Do not use anonymous payment methods, such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Does an offer seem too good to be true? Then it usually is.

If you are making an offer on a home, you will need these documents

1. A copy of your passport or valid residence permit.

2. Proof of income (such as your

   pay slips
   for the last 3 months).

3. An extract from the

   Dutch population register (BRP)
   of the municipality.

4. Sometimes the landlord asks for a reference from your previous landlord.

• The rental contract 
  Read your contract carefully before signing it. You can find more information about the rental contract on this government webpage.

  The rental contract must clearly state:

1. The monthly rent.

2. The

   deposit
   (an amount you will get back when you leave).

3. The term of the contract (fixed-term or indefinite).

4. Who is responsible for maintenance of the house.

• Register with the municipality

If you own a home, you must register with the municipality where you will be living.

As a tenant, you have rights that are protected by Dutch law:

• Rent increase: The rules governing annual rent increases are strict. Landlords cannot simply raise the rent.

• Protection against eviction: You cannot be evicted from your home without cause. The landlord must follow strict legal procedures to terminate the contract.

• Maintenance of the house: Responsibility for maintenance is shared between you and the landlord. You are responsible for minor repairs, and the landlord is responsible for major repairs.

If you are having problems with your landlord, you can contact the

Sometimes landlords in the private sector impose conditions that are not permitted by law. If you are unsure whether the landlord is making unreasonable demands, you can contact Het Juridisch Loket.

"Informatiepunt Wettelijke Aansprakelijkheid" (the legal liability information centre) is an independent information platform about legal assistance and liability in the Netherlands. On this website, you can find information about rental law.

There, you can read about the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords. You will also find information about issues related to rent, property maintenance and what to do in case of disturbances. In addition, the website provides answers to frequently asked questions about rental law.