HOUSING
FINDING THE PERFECT HOME IS NOT EASY IN THE DENSELY POPULATED NETHERLANDS. HERE’S HOW IT WORKS FINDING A HOME It’s a sellers’ market now in the Netherlands, and housing is in high demand. Competition for housing in popular areas is fierce, so be ready to act, bid and sign quickly. Expats are advised to buy only if they will be in the Netherlands for five years’ minimum. If you stay in The Netherlands for just a couple of years, renting a property is a better option.
RENT OR BUY? • If you will live here for more than five years and paying EUR 2000 exclusive of utilities per month on your lease, you could be better off buying a property in the Netherlands. • Buyers who want to lease out their property in the future should make sure they are permitted to. Check the terms of your mortgage provider. • Only interest payments for full-repayment mortgages over 30 years are tax deductible, and the maximum tax rate for deductibility will be reduced by 0.5 percent per annum until 2040.
• Properties to rent (te huur) and to buy (te koop) can be found on online property portals and agency websites such as www.funda.nl and www.pararius.com, www.expatica.com, www.expatrentals.eu. • There are many agencies specialising in serving expats (be wary of those that charge a registration fee), which can steer a path through the local market. • You can contact an agent to help you out in the home finding process. They will actively search the market to find the property you are looking for. An agent that is working on your behalf will charge an agency fee. The going rate is a 1 months’ rent + 21% V.A.T. • If you find a rental property listed on any website yourself, then that agent is working on behalf of the owner, and for that, you are free of any agency fees or contract costs. But, it is recommended that you hire an agent yourself who can help you out with the rental contract and other issues. • Using a reputable agent, or agency, can help you to avoid renting an “illegal” apartment, a scam, a sub-lease, not getting back your deposit after check out, being bound by an unreasonable contract, or just over paying for a property. You can search all available agents in the market at www.housingagent.com. • Rental properties that have less than EUR 737.14 base rent (in 2020) will fall under social housing restrictions, and most will not qualify for these properties as they either earn too much or have no required link to the area.
SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONALS 2022 • THE NETHERLANDS • WWW.EXPATFAIR.NL
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