Dutch Housing Keywords Explained: Your Essential Dutch-English Rental Guide

Navigating the Dutch housing market can be a challenge—especially when you’re faced with listings full of unfamiliar terms. Whether you’re scrolling through housing websites or reading advertisements, understanding key Dutch rental vocabulary can make your search faster, easier, and more successful. To help you out, we’ve put together a handy Dutch-English guide of common housing terms. Whether you’re looking for a “gemeubileerd appartement” or want to know if “G/W/E” is included, this guide will help you read between the lines and find the home that’s right for you.

🏠 Types of Housing
Dutch Term – English Translation
Appartement – Apartment
Studio – Studio (single-room unit)
Kamer – Room
Woning – House / Dwelling
Tussenwoning – Terraced house
Hoekwoning – End-of-terrace house
Vrijstaand – Detached house
Bovenwoning – Upstairs apartment
Benedenwoning – Ground floor apartment
Eengezinswoning – Single-family house
Seniorenwoning – Senior citizen housing
Studentenwoning – Student housing
Herenhuis – Townhouse
Maisonnette – Maisonette
Galerijflat – Gallery flat
Portiekwoning – Porch-access apartment

🛋️ Furnishing & Features
Dutch Term – English Translation
Gemeubileerd – Furnished
Gestoffeerd – Semi-furnished (with flooring and curtains)
Ongemeubileerd – Unfurnished
Balkon – Balcony
Dakterras – Roof terrace
Tuin – Garden
Parkeerplaats – Parking space
Berging – Storage room
Lift – Elevator
Dubbele beglazing – Double glazing
CV (Centrale Verwarming) – Central heating
Vloerverwarming – Underfloor heating
Internet inbegrepen – Internet included
Huisdieren toegestaan – Pets allowed
Roken toegestaan – Smoking allowed

💰 Rental Costs & Conditions
Dutch Term English Translation
Huurprijs – Rent price
Kale huur – Basic rent (excluding utilities)
All-in huur – All-inclusive rent
Servicekosten – Service charges
Borg – Deposit
Contractduur – Contract duration
Opzegtermijn – Notice period
Inschrijfkosten – Registration fee
Administratiekosten – Administration fee
Voorschot – Advance payment
G/W/E (Gas/Water/Elektra) – Gas/Water/Electricity
Exclusief – Excluding (e.g., utilities)
Inclusief – Including

📅 Availability & Duration
Dutch Term – English Translation
Per direct beschikbaar – Available immediately
Beschikbaar per – Available from
Tijdelijk contract – Temporary contract
Onbepaalde tijd – Indefinite period
Huurperiode – Rental period
Minimale huurperiode – Minimum rental period
Verlenging mogelijk – Extension possible
Inschrijven mogelijk – Registration possible

📍 Location & Environment
Dutch Term – English Translation
Centrum – City center
Nabij openbaar vervoer – Near public transport
Rustige buurt – Quiet neighborhood
Gezellige buurt – Cozy neighborhood
Winkelcentrum nabij – Near shopping center
Parkeergelegenheid – Parking facilities
Fietsenstalling – Bicycle storage
Nabij universiteit – Near university

📝 Application & Requirements
Dutch Term – English Translation
Inkomenseis – Income requirement
Garantsteller vereist – Guarantor required
Studenten toegestaan – Students allowed
Werkenden toegestaan – Working professionals allowed
Huisdieren toegestaan – Pets allowed
Roken toegestaan – Smoking allowed
Referenties vereist – References required
Identificatie verplicht – Identification required

Understanding these terms can significantly ease the process of searching for rental accommodations in the Netherlands. Always ensure to read listings carefully and don’t hesitate to ask landlords or agencies for clarification on any terms or conditions.