Housing in the Netherlands

Types of housing, how to find a home, utilities, and the practical things you need to know for the KNM exam.

Types of Housing

Dutch Term	English
Sociale huurwoning	Social housing — has a maximum rent price (maximum huurprijs)
Vrije sector huurwoning	Private rental — no rent cap
Koopwoning	Owner-occupied home

Finding Housing

Makelaar (real estate agent) — helps you buy a house
Woningcorporatie (housing association) — register here as a housing seeker (woningzoekende)
The more years you're registered, the better your chances for social housing

Statiegeld (Deposit on Bottles/Cans)

Return bottles and cans with statiegeld to the supermarket (supermarkt) — not to the gemeente or apotheek.

Utilities and Energy

Energy Contract

You must arrange your own energy contract when moving
Not arranged by gemeente or woningcorporatie

Meter Reading (Meterstanden)

Report your meter readings to your energy company
Gas meter (gasmeter): read the black numbers before the decimal point
Example: If meter shows 03164,789 → report 03164
The red numbers after the decimal are not reported

Gas Problems

No gas? Call the Nationaal Storingsnummer
Not the brandweer (fire department) or gemeente

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sociale huurwoning and vrije sector huurwoning? +

A sociale huurwoning (social housing) has a maximum rent price (maximum huurprijs) set by regulation. A vrije sector huurwoning (private rental) has no rent cap — prices are set by the market.

How can I find social housing in the Netherlands? +

Register with a woningcorporatie (housing association) as a housing seeker (woningzoekende). The longer you are registered, the better your chances of being offered a social housing unit.

Who helps me buy a house? +

A makelaar (real estate agent) helps you buy a house (koopwoning). The woningcorporatie helps you find rental housing, not buy.

Who arranges my energy contract when I move? +

You arrange your own energy contract when you move — it is not arranged by the gemeente or the woningcorporatie. You set it up yourself with an energy company.

How do I report my gas meter reading? +

Report the reading to your energy company. For a gas meter (gasmeter), read only the black numbers before the decimal point. For example, if the meter shows 03164,789, you report 03164. The red numbers after the decimal are not reported.