Frequently asked questions

RentSlam works throughout the Netherlands, so you can register with confidence. However, not every city has many rental properties available. If you’re moving to a location that most people haven’t heard of, let us know. We’ll make an extra effort to find all available properties there for you.

We scan all reliable rental websites every 30 seconds, 24 hours a day, searching for new rental properties. This means that you no longer need to spend hours a day searching online. All you need to do is check your email or your App messages. And because we do it so fast, you never have to be too late to respond. We also search over 1,500+ websites, so we simply find more properties than you could possibly do yourself. Plus, you don’t have to pay us any commission when you rent a house.

This might be the most frequently asked question! The answer depends on the circumstances. Many of our customers find a property within a week, but the average is 6 weeks. The better your search profile matches what’s available on the market, the faster you can rent a house. The main factors that influence how long it takes to find a rental are:

1. “Does your budget align with the rest of your search criteria?”
2. “How quickly do you respond to the listings we send?”
3. “To what extent do you meet the landlord’s requirements?”

Funda and Pararius are great resources with a lot of inventory, but there is still plenty of availability that never appears on these platforms. Also, competition for properties on these platforms is intense since everyone searches there. We actively search over 1,500+ websites for properties that match your search profile. We do this literally every 30 seconds, 24/7, which isn’t something you could do manually—only a machine can. RentSlam ensures you get far more properties and can respond much faster.

Most likely, everything is set up correctly! Don’t worry. Since we only send new rental listings, that have come online after you activated your account, you won’t receive listings immediately, it can sometimes take a while. Also, take into account that not many listings come online over the weekend. If you haven’t received an email indicating you should adjust your search profile, there’s no need to sound the alarm. Give it some time.

Yes, you can create up to four different search profiles with one account. So you can search in four cities simultaneously, set multiple bedroom and price combinations, or even mix both.

Being location-independent is a big advantage. We have a radius filter that you can set in your search profile. This way, you receive all properties within the specified kilometer radius. Note: the radius is measured from the center of the selected city, so for a large city, you may need to set a larger radius to include areas outside the city.

Some sites require payment to respond to their listings. We’ve chosen to include these listings, because for most renters, “the more listings, the better”. But you can easily turn them off in your search profiles. Then you’ll only receive listings where you don’t need to pay to respond.

Yes. We find all rental properties, including those with a lower rent. Whether you get rent allowance depends mainly on your income and on renting a self-contained home.

No, you can find and rent a property with a RentSlam subscription only! There is no commission to be paid when you rent a place. If you want to increase the amount of listings you receive, you can activate “paid sites” in your search profile. This way, you’ll receive more listings. However, in that case, you must have a subscription with the paid provider to respond to those specific listings.

If we could, we’d offer RentSlam for free to everyone. But we work very hard to make RentSlam perform at its best, delivering all available rentals to you as quickly as possible, and the services we use to do so, cost money. Plus, we have this peculiar habit of eating three times a day and also need a roof over our heads to continue providing this great service. And besides, if it were completely free, everyone would use RentSlam, and your advantage of being first to respond would be much smaller. So it’s also in your interest that we ask for a small fee.

Yes, this frustrates us too. If you hire an agent to find a property for you, that agent does a lot of work and therefore has the right to charge a commission – logical, right? But if you find a property using RentSlam, without hiring an agent, you don’t owe the letting agent any commission. If you’ve already paid it, you can request a refund. Read more here, and let us know if you need further assistance. Here’s a link to a form to request your refund.

We hope we can clarify this for you. Our “cities” section on the website has plenty of information on the average price per square meter in the cities we write about. But keep in mind, these are averages; if you’re lucky you can find a bargain, but at other times you’ll need patience and be realistic. If you want specific data for your city, contact us, and we’ll share it with you.

Pet filters are unnecessary. There’s no law stating that a landlord can prohibit a tenant from having a pet. So even if the landlord isn’t thrilled about your beloved dog, they can’t forbid it. The only exception is if it’s specified in the statutes of the Homeowners Association. You might want to double-check this for peace of mind. Of course, if your pet causes excessive disturbance to neighbours, you may eventually have to leave with your pet, but only after losing a lengthy legal process.

You’re not blind – this option isn’t available yet. Often, this information isn’t specified in the right way, so we don’t want you to miss out on any good listings because of bad information. But I promise we’re working on it.

Yes, it’s frustrating! But don’t give up, because this isn’t the case with all properties. Housing corporations often require three times the rent as gross salary. With private landlords or real estate agents, it’s usually more flexible. Unfortunately, we can’t control this, and we find it just as frustrating as you do.

Yes, we do. We also find the social housing of Woningnet Amsterdam, Woonnet Rotterdam, etc. We only send them if you want to receive them. In your RentSlam profile, you can indicate if you want to receive social housing listings or not. However, keep in mind that the average waiting time for a social rental in major cities is over 10 years, so you might as well look for a time machine. Free-sector (or mid-range) rentals from these providers are, of course, very interesting, so you might want to leave it on. We also find properties below the rent subsidy threshold.

That’s understandable! We listened to your feedback and developed a filter for income requirements. If this is clearly stated in an ad, we’ll still send the listing but clearly mark it so you know that the income doesn’t match. Like this, you don’t have to waste your time in applying. This feature is in BETA.

When we send you rental listings that have come online, it’s up to you to respond directly to the provider. Click the “View listing” button, and you’ll go straight to the website where the property is listed. There, you can immediately request a viewing or ask questions. This way, you can respond fast and directly with the source offering the property.

There is no perfect message – if there were, we’d gladly give it to you! A good message is very personal and depends on your situation. But generally, shorter is better, and only include information that’s requested. In some cases, landlords want to know more about who you are, what you do, and what your hobbies are, but that doesn’t happen often, so only mention it if asked. Need help writing a good message? Let us know, and we’ll gladly help.

It is likely that you are doing everything right! But here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Are you responding fast enough? If not, turn on “push notifications” for your email so you can respond even faster or turn on WhatsApp in your settings.
2. Are you including the right information when requesting a viewing? Often, less is more. If you need help with this, let us know.

If you’re doing everything right, it’s probably because agents and other providers are so busy that they can’t respond to all emails. You could try contacting them by phone, but it’s better to focus on responding as quickly as possible.

The key is to respond to as many listings as possible. You simply won’t be invited to every viewing, so the more responses, the more viewings. And make sure you respond quickly for a higher chance of being invited.

It varies by provider; some agents are progressive and even advertise this as an option. Others are more old-fashioned and unfortunately only offer in-person viewings. Fortunately, we find both kinds of agents 😉. Having a friend view the property is always possible, but you’ll have to trust their judgment, which is very personal.

If the provider doesn’t specify that you need to bring something in advance, assume it’s unnecessary. However, if you want to make a good impression, bring an ID (driver’s license or passport), an employment contract, and payslips.

It’s frustrating that some landlords don’t want to rent to students. But the good news is that with perseverance, a bit of creativity, and some help, you can definitely find a place. Many students have found a rental through RentSlam. You just have to go a bit further than others. Consider having a guarantor, sharing with other students, or involving your parents, for example.

Yes, we also find rooms, not only studio’s and apartments. Make sure you include rooms in your search profiles to receive them.

Apartment rental prices in the Netherlands vary greatly by city and region. In major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, prices are higher than in smaller cities. On average, you pay between €1,000 and €1,800 per month for an apartment, depending on size, location and condition. The national average rent has risen to over €1,800 per month.

Finding an affordable apartment requires speed and persistence. With RentSlam you receive new rental homes directly when they come online, often before others see them. This increases your chances of being the first to respond to affordable apartments in your desired city.

An apartment has separate rooms (living room, bedroom, kitchen), while a studio combines all functions in one open space. Apartments are generally larger and offer more privacy between the different living areas. Studios are more compact and often cheaper, ideal for singles.

When renting an apartment, pay attention to the condition, energy label, service costs, rental conditions and the neighborhood. Also check if there are income requirements. Ask about the notice period and deposit requirements. Always view the apartment in person before signing.

The search time for an apartment varies from a few weeks to months, depending on your requirements and the city. Competition is high in popular cities. By responding quickly to new homes through services like RentSlam, you can significantly shorten your search time.

In addition to the monthly rent, you often pay service costs for gas, water and electricity, and sometimes for common areas. Most landlords require a deposit of 1-2 months rent. Some landlords also charge administration fees.

Yes, apartments are generally well suited for working from home. With separate rooms, you can often create a quiet workplace, separated from your living area. Look for apartments with an extra room or enough space for a home office.

House rental prices in the Netherlands vary greatly by region. In the Randstad area, prices are higher than in other parts of the country. On average, you pay between €1,500 and €3,000 per month for a rental house, depending on size, location and amenities. Families should budget €2,000 to €3,500 for a 2-3 bedroom property.

A rental house with a garden is in high demand and goes quickly. With RentSlam you receive new rental homes with gardens directly when they come online. Filter by property type “house” to see only houses, which often have gardens.

Renting offers flexibility: no long-term financial commitments, no maintenance costs for major repairs, and the ability to move more easily. Ideal for those who don’t know where they want to settle yet or don’t have equity for a mortgage.

Pay attention to the condition, energy label, garden maintenance (who is responsible), rental conditions and the neighborhood. Check if there are house rules for the garden and if pets are allowed.

This varies by landlord. Many private landlords allow pets, but always ask before signing. It’s usually stated in the rental contract or house rules.

The average rental period for a house is often longer than for apartments, usually at least 1-2 years. Many families rent long-term because moving with children is significant.

You need contents insurance for your belongings and liability insurance. Building insurance is the responsibility of the landlord.

Room rental prices in the Netherlands vary by city. In student cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht and Groningen, prices are higher. On average, you pay between €400 and €850 per month for a room, depending on size, location and whether it is furnished.

With a room, you share facilities like kitchen and bathroom with housemates. A studio is an independent living space with its own kitchen and bathroom. Rooms are cheaper but offer less privacy.

Ask about housemates and their lifestyle during viewings. See if there are house rules and if the atmosphere suits you. With RentSlam you can discover new rooms quickly before others see them.

As a room tenant, you have tenant protection rights if you have a contract. You cannot be evicted without proper notice. Check if you fall under social housing limits for extra protection.

This depends on house rules. Most landlords allow visitors, but long-term stays may be restricted. Ask about this in advance.

For a room, you can get housing benefit if you rent an independent living space with your own entrance, kitchen and sanitary facilities. For non-independent rooms (shared facilities), this does not apply. Since 2026, the maximum rent limit has been removed and you qualify for full housing benefit from age 21.

The standard notice period for rooms is usually 1 month. This may differ if stated in your contract. Check your rental agreement for exact terms.

Studio rental prices in the Netherlands vary by city. On average, you pay between €500 and €1,000 per month for a studio, depending on size, location and amenities. In major cities, prices are higher.

A studio is a compact independent living space where living, sleeping and cooking areas are in one room. An apartment has separate rooms. Studios are smaller and cheaper, ideal for singles.

An average studio is between 20 and 40 square meters. This is sufficient for one person. Some larger studios are also suitable for couples.

A small studio is tight for two people, but larger studios (35+ m²) can be suitable for a couple. Check the rental conditions, some landlords only allow one occupant.

A studio has its own sanitary facilities (shower, toilet), a kitchenette, and a combined living/sleeping area. Furniture and appliances may be included with furnished rentals.

Yes, you can apply for housing benefit (huurtoeslag) for a studio if it is an independent living space with its own entrance, kitchen and sanitary facilities. Since 2026, there is no longer a maximum rent limit to qualify. The benefit is calculated up to a maximum of €932.93 (age 21+). From age 21, you qualify for full housing benefit.

Many studios are offered furnished or semi-furnished, especially in student cities. This is convenient for starters, but the rent is often slightly higher.

Renting an apartment in Amsterdam with children? Amsterdam-Zuid and Amsterdam-Oost are often considered the most suitable for families with children because of their spacious homes, good schools and proximity to parks such as the Vondelpark and Oosterpark. Amsterdam-Noord is also popular due to its affordable rents and green surroundings.

Renting an apartment in Amsterdam is generally quite pricey. Neighborhoods such as Nieuw-West, Noord and parts of Southeast tend to be cheaper than popular downtown areas such as De Pijp and Jordaan.

Yes, provided your rent and income are within certain limits and you have independent living quarters.

Yes, but check with the landlord. With social rental properties, subletting is often prohibited, while properties in the free sector offer more freedom.

Legally YES, however, it varies whether landlords allow pets in rental properties in Amsterdam. This depends on the landlord; some allow pets, others do not. Officially though, it is only forbidden when specifically stated in the statutes of the community of owners.