nawc housing

North American Women's Club of Eindhoven, The Netherlands

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Housing

Since many North Americans only stay for a couple of years, most of them rent their home in The Netherlands. Due to a housing shortage and a dense population, rental costs are quite high and selection can be very scarce. There is more choice however when one buys a house. Houses also tend to be small and space used very efficiently. This has a consequence on the size of the appliances, which are much smaller than American ones. Stand-alone houses are quite expensive. Free- standing houses in the Eindhoven area start at Dfl 700.000. Most people live in terraced houses (think duplex) or in apartments. Many Dutch people also receive housing allowances which means that foreigners can't rent those homes.

It is very useful to have a street map of the area where you are going to live. Often the city hall (gemeente) has them for free.

One can find housing several ways:

Classified ads: ask a newsagent in which papers you will find the most choice. The local paper is call the Eindhoven Dagblad
Placing an ad: ask your local newsagent in which paper it is best to place an ad.
Real estate agents (makelaar): Be sure that they are registered with an association of real estate agents. The largest one in The Netherlands is NVM, there is also LMV and VBO. The agents who are member of one of those associations will have access to all the properties in the area you are searching. So you only need to register with one of them to have the largest choice. Ask in advance what the costs are of showing and finding a property for you. In general the tenant will pay 1 month rent as a commission to the agent if the search was successful and after the lease has been signed. There is no reason why you shouldn’t try to negotiate this commission.
International clubs: maybe the local branch of the International, American Women’s Club or others also advertise rentals. Sometimes you can find information in shop windows and supermarket notice boards. But you probably won’t have the time for this.
Relocation service: ask in advance what the costs are of showing and finding a property for you. Normally your employer, who is relocating you, will pay for this.

In choosing the area where you want to live, a lot depends on your desire to live close to your work or to schools.

You will find different degrees of furnished housing:

partially furnished (gestoffeerd): light fixtures, curtains, floor coverings, appliances will be included
fully furnished (gemeubileerd): furniture, cutlery, linen,
unfurnished (ongemeubileerd): the property will be bare, no light fixtures, curtains, or maybe even floor coverings

Be sure to ask exactly what is staying and what will not be there when you move in.

based on "Live and Work in Belgium, the Netherlands & Luxemburg" by André de Vries

For information about club activities/membership contact dn.belt.@chello.nl

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