FAQ


Housing in Groningen

Below are some frequently asked questions.

Can I live on the campus

Dutch universities do not have a tradition for on-campus housing. In Groningen, the entire city is your campus. Students, both national and international, live in student houses in the city center or around the city center.

More information about the campus can be found here.

Does the university have their own dorms?

No, the RUG and Hanze have no dorms. Students have to find their own accommodation by themselves. For internationals, there is also the SSH, which provides accommodation for international students only.

More information can be found here.

When should I start looking for a house or room?

The demand for student housing is high in popular student cities like Groningen. Therefore, you should start looking for accommodation months before you arrive, preferably 3-4 months.

More information can be found here.

Is it allowed to have visitors in my room?

Of course! It’s normal to have friends over, but if they want to sleep over you should always ask your roommates if that is okay. If your friends want to stay longer than one night, you should also ask your landlord for permission.

What do I have to pay for a room or a house?

It really depends on what kind of room you have. It depends on the size, the location, the quality, and the landlord. For a room, you’ll pay between 350-650 euros. For a studio you’ll pay between 550-750 euros. For a 2 bedroom apartment, you’ll pay between 900-1500 euros.

When do I have to pay the rent?

It depends on what is stated in your rental contract. Normally, you have to pay your rent for the next month at the end of the current month. For example, for the month of November, you would pay between 24 and 31 October.

Are utilities included in the rent?

If you rent a room, it’s normal that the utilities are included. For an apartment, it depends on the landlord. You should ask your landlord about this.

Are pets allowed in my house / my room?

Pets are usually not allowed. You should discuss this with your landlord if it is possible to have a pet in your room or apartment.

Can I rent a furnished room?

Some landlords offer furnished rooms. It’s usually stated in the information section. You can check the ‘Furnished’ box in the Roomfinder on this website.

Where can I start searching for a room / house?

There are a lot of websites and rental companies where you can find rooms and apartments. Athomeingroningen.com is a great start! Use our Roomfinder or check out Finding a home, for a list of websites and rental offices.

How do I know when someone scams me?

Unfortunately there are a lot of ways to get scammed. You should be really careful if you look for accommodation online. Never pay if you haven’t signed a contract or received a key. Also see ‘Avoid fraud and scams’ for more information.

What is a BSN and do I need one?

A BSN-number is your social security number in the Netherlands. You need this number for instance to open a Dutch bank account. More information can be found on Address registration

Why do I need to register with the Municipality?

More information about registering can be found on Address registration

Can I register for my family with the Municipality?

More information about registering can be found on Address registration

How long will it take to receive my BSN?

More information about a BSN can be found on Address registration

Law and Financial Matters

Is my rental contract going to be in English or in Dutch?

It depends on your landlord or real estate company if you will receive an English or a Dutch contract. If you get a Dutch contract, you can always ask if you can get one in English. If that is not possible, you should ask a Dutch friend or colleague to read it before signing it!

What are the most common issues I can face while renting a place?

There are a number of difficulties that may be encountered when looking for a new place. We have listed a number of them in this link Possible problems with renting

Where can I get assistance in case I face issues with renting?

There are several places where you can obtain legal advice if you encounter problems with your rental landlord. Some of the problems these services can advise on include: paying too much rent or service costs, not getting your deposit back and several other issues.

More information on Possible problems with renting