Finding an apartment in the Netherlands (at least in Rotterdam) is very different from Ireland. The demand for apartments is very high, so agencies usually do not run around looking for clients, but rather clients look for agencies.
The usual search procedure is as follows: you find an apartment on the company’s website and send a request to view it. After that, an agent contacts you and offers a date for a visit. You will not be alone at such inspections, as there can be 10 people or more at the same time. If you like the apartment, you send the necessary documents to the agent (income statement, documents, contracts), which he forwards to the apartment owner. And it is the latter who decides who he wants to see in his apartment among dozens of applicants.
Apartments in Rotterdam are very different – incredibly expensive and fashionable and cheap and old. In the middle price range – about 800-1000 euros per month – houses usually have no elevator and steep stairs to the top. In order to find something worthwhile, you will need to look at a dozen different offers.
You should also pay attention to whether the final rental price includes internet, heating, water, and electricity. If not, expect at least an additional 150-200 euros per month.
Don’t be afraid to bargain with the owners/companies – we were able to reduce the monthly price by 250 euros, which looks pretty good. Before you move in, you will be asked to leave a deposit of approximately one month’s rent. Within three weeks we found and moved into a great modern apartment in the heart of the city, a 5-minute walk to work, near the canal, with a jacuzzi bath, fully furnished and an old bicycle to boot. It’s great to have something to ride to the market 🙂
