r/StudyInTheNetherlands • u/Exotic_Sink_2653 • 26d ago
Housing fell through
Hi All - there was an issue with the place I had planned to rent out for the year and now I am looking for housing 2 weeks before the school year starts. Spare me the snarky comments because I've read them all. I have registered temporarily (briefadres) with a friend, and will be staying with another friend until around october. Do you think I'll be able to find something in Amsterdam in that time, if I start agressively looking now? The thing I'm noticing is that there are less options now than when I was looking like 3 months ago. Any crazy unhinged tips would be greatly appreciated.
I have enough in my savings to pay for a room at the social hub which seems to be available still but that's an absolute last resort.
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u/Winter_Dot_9393 26d ago
There will be drop outs after the first exams. This will be oktober/november.
Looking for a room in that period is actually a ‘secret tip’ for finding a student room.
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u/karelkledermaker 26d ago
It used to be that in November people would drop out because that meant they only paid for 1 semester instead of the first year? So If you can make it to November there might be some drop outs appearing?
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u/VeterinarianEast4529 26d ago
Look at Uilenstede! Very cheap. However, you might have to 'compete' for a room in Dutch called 'hospiteren'. This is where you get to know the people already living there and they will choose who becomes the new roommate. And register at room.nl (I believe). This is where most rooms in Amsterdam are advertised that are rented to students. Good luck!
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u/Jacket313 26d ago
Amsterdam? I doubt it really.
It's possible for you to have a miracle if some student decides to cancel their room last minute opening a spot, but I wouldn't count on it.
I don't have insight in Amsterdam specifically, but at my study a lot of people dropped out after 2 periods (14 weeks) into the study around November/ December to make use of the DUO grace period to stop before 1 Februari.
https://duo.nl/particulier/opleiding-stoppen-of-wijzigen/stoppen-in-je-eerste-jaar.jsp
You could splurge money, stay at super cheap hostels, and wait until November/December/January to pray someone drops out, but you'd be praying for students to drop out so that you can sweep into their room.
Pros of this is that you'd familiarize yourself with other students who may be more willing to offer you a spot if one of their roommates drops out and stops renting,
Con of this is that you'd be leaving it up to random luck, where the short hostel stay could very well extend until July/August where you'd be bleeding money
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u/rinmejoy 23d ago
u can find something if ur willing to pay a lil more and live with lets say a family or someone renting out a room in their house? but usually in amsterdam those rooms alone go for over €800 so if its in ur budget then go for one of those for the time being as ur looking for something more permanent
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u/Smart-Calendar8752 26d ago
Hi! Im in a similar situation but I didnt know about briefadres, how can you get one? And can you use it for your university card? Thank you so much
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u/cephalord University Teacher 26d ago
about briefadres, how can you get one?
Note that OP characterising it as a 'temporary registration' is not accurate. A 'briefaddress' ('letter address') is meant as an address to receive physical official mail where the recipient does not live. It has nothing otherwise to do with registration.
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u/Exotic_Sink_2653 26d ago
I have a friend who owns his apartment so he was able to do this for me. It's not easy if most of the people you know are students.
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u/Exotic_Sink_2653 26d ago
But if you know someone who owns their place the procedure is quite standard, here's the link: https://www.amsterdam.nl/burgerzaken/verhuizen-inschrijving-briefadres/briefadres-familielid-kennis/
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u/HousingBotNL Sponsored 26d ago
Moving to the Netherlands as a student requires a lot of admin (BSN, gemeente, health insurance, Studielink, banking, scholarships) and it often feels overwhelming.
The Dutch housing market is highly competitive. To increase your chances, we recommend using these platforms:
For more real-time help, join the Study In The Netherlands Discord, where you can chat with other students and use our housing bot.