Housing FAQs and contact
Is your question not answered on our web pages or in the FAQs below? Do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail or visit our student services desk on Utrecht Science Park during opening hours.
Contact
StudentServices@uu.nl (please mention your student number) |
Reliability check
Some people try to take advantage of the high demand for housing and aim to scam you with a fake offer. Do not hesitate to e-mail us for advice if you are in doubt about the reliability. Kindly include information about the offer, the address, any photos, size, rent, and the reason why you are in doubt. Read more on how to avoid scams.
Frequently asked housing questions
What to expect
The availability of student housing in Utrecht is limited and in high demand. This makes finding housing is very difficult and time-consuming. If you plan to study at Utrecht University start your search several months in advance to your arrival, even prior to your formal admission. Although it can increase your chances if you start your search early, this is not a guarantee.
The average rent in Utrecht is higher than in most other towns and cities in the Netherlands, and may also be higher than in your home country. It is very important that you calculate a realistic budget for housing. Besides that, also be aware that there are additional costs you pay when you rent that can be substantial, such as a deposit, down payment, fees etc.
Arriving in a foreign country without having arranged a place to stay can lead to a very stressful situation. Our students tell us that it is very difficult to keep putting time and effort into their search for housing once they have started their studies. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide but this is not a process we desire our students to go through. We therefore advise you to reconsider your enrolment if you haven’t found housing on time before the start of your studies in Utrecht.
Please note that our education is on-campus by default and your attendance is required. That is why it is not possible to study for your bachelor’s or master’s degree online from abroad.
If you decide to cancel your enrolment or decide not to enrol, there are various matters that you need to look into:
Cancelling your application/ enrolment
If you have an active application or even completed your enrolment, you need to cancel it. Please see this page. Make sure to check the applicable deadlines.
Deferring your admission
Information on how to defer to the next possible starting date is stated in your conditional letter of acceptance.
Cancelling your visa, if applicable
Please contact the visa team at visa@uu.nl. Please note that the visa fee is non-refundable. The tuition fee and if applicable the living expenses refund will handled by the visa team as well. Please note that the international transaction cost will be deducted from the tuition fee refund.
Financial matters
Tuition fee
If your enrolment has been cancelled at Utrecht University, then you do not owe the university tuition fees. If you have already paid any tuition fees, these will be refunded. If you’ve confirmed a digital direct-debit authorisation, then the cancellation of your enrolment (application) renders it null and void. No tuition fees will be debited after cancellation. Non-EU students please refer to the visa cancellation information.Application fee
Please note that the application fee is non-refundable. If you defer, you do not have to pay your application fee again.Scholarship, if applicable
Please note that scholarships issued by Utrecht university cannot be deferred. Contact scholarship@uu.nl if you choose to defer or cancel your enrolment.
More info on what to expect
Searching for housing
Unlike to what you might be used to, Dutch universities do not own student housing. As a student, you yourself are responsible for arranging your housing. Utrecht University does not have the capacity to match students with listings on the private market, nor can we find housing on your behalf. We do aim to inform you best we can about housing and provide the information that may help you during your search.
For new international students who meet the conditions, Utrecht University offers a Reserved Accommodation Programme, but this is limited. If you do not manage to reserve housing this way, or if you are not eligible to apply, you have to find housing on your own.
No, it is not necessarily easier to search for housing while you are in Utrecht. Instead, it can lead to a very stressful situation if you arrive without housing. It is also very difficult to keep putting time and effort into your search once you started your studies. We therefore advise you to reconsider your enrolment if you have not found housing before the start of your studies in Utrecht.
There is a shortage of all types of housing in the Netherlands. For housing offers that are suitable for more than one tenant (such as family housing and apartments), landlords usually prefer a working couple over students as tenants. Most student housing offers therefore come on the market for one tenant only. Besides that, house or flat sharing as a group is not always allowed due to local regulations. Because of these reasons searching with a group or as a pair rarely works out.
If you are under 18, you may receive more rejections when you respond to ads and listings on housing platforms. This is because many students prefer a housemate that is more senior. This means that you may experience extra difficulties when you search for housing.
Also note that housing providers, agencies and landlords may require your parent(s) or guardian(s) to co-sign a rental agreement if you are underage.
There are no no-go areas in Utrecht. Students live all over the city and in surrounding towns as well. It is also not advised to focus on just some areas - as this decreases your chances of finding a place. Instead, include all areas and also search in surrounding towns like Zeist, Maarssen, Houten, Nieuwegein, De Bilt, Bilthoven etc. to increase your chances.
Some people try to take advantage of the high demand for housing and aim to scam you with a fake offer. Learn more on how to recognise a scam and which safety measures to take into account when you search for housing online.
Are you in doubt about the reliability of an offer? Feel free to contact us for advice. Kindly send us an e-mail via studentservices@uu.nl with any information you have about the offer, such as a link to the ad, address, any photos, size, rent, contact you have had with the advertiser etc.
On our website you can learn more on how to recognise a scam and which safety measures to take into account. If you still have doubts about the reliability of an offer you are always welcome to contact us for advice via StudentServices@uu.nl. Make sure to include as much information as possible about the ad, landlord or advertiser, any photos, and the accommodation when you contact us.
More info on ways to find housing and matters to take into account during your search
Reserved Accommodation Programme
Dutch universities do not own housing. Utrecht University does offer a Reserved Accommodation Programme with furnished rooms and studios for new international students who meet the requirements.
Important to know:
- The housing is reserved: Because the housing is not owned by Utrecht University, contracts are between the tenant and housing provider
- The housing is limited: Booking is on first come, first served basis. Finding housing via this programme is not guaranteed
- Fixed rental periods: It is not possible to stay longer or shorter or cancel the agreement prematurely
- First year only: After the first year, you have to find housing yourself.
This FAQ answers questions for international degree students planning to enrol at Utrecht University per February 2024. Planning to enrol as an Exchange student in 2024? Please follow this link to the FAQ for Exchange students.
Registration and booking
Before booking opens you require a registration. You can find the dates for registration and booking on page with more information on the Reserved Accommodation Programme.
The date and time you register does not influence your booking chances. However, because it takes some time to verify your registration, you are not advised to postpone this.
When booking opens it is not allowed to apply for more than one room or studio that is part of the Reserved Accommodation Programme. Any added applications for housing that is part of the Reserved Accommodation Programme will not be approved by Utrecht University.
Reasons why this is not allowed:
- If more than one reservation is placed with one or more housing providers, it is entirely random which reservation is denied and any costs or advanced payments are not reimbursed by the housing provider.
- Utrecht University is not informed by a housing provider if you cancel a reservation. A second application will thus still be denied, even if you yourself had already cancelled your first reservation. In this situation you could end up with no reservation.
Once booking opens, the accommodation is rented out on first come, first served basis. You are advised not to postpone this to a later date or time. Still, even if you keep to the application date and time, there is a chance that you will not be able to arrange housing via the Reserved Accommodation Programme. Keep this in mind and also explore other options beforehand.
All housing part of the UU Reserved Accommodation Programme is very popular and books up quick. Because the overall number of reserved rooms and studios is limited, and finding housing this way is not guaranteed, you may have to search for housing on your own. This can be difficult and time consuming but the right preparation can increase your chances.
We aim to inform you to best of our abilities about finding housing on your own, and offer tips and tricks on our website.
Eligibility
You need to meet several conditions to be able to apply for the UU Reserved Accommodation Programme. Read more about the programme and the conditions.
No, the Reserved Accommodation Programme does not have an age limit to apply.
Costs and rent
You can find more details about the various costs on the Reserved Accommodation page.
You can find more general information on the average costs for (reserved) student housing on this page.
This is not possible. Reserved accommodation only offers housing with fixed start and end dates. You are responsible for the rent payments for the full duration of your contract. The booking conditions are:
- If you reserve accommodation you pay the rent per the fixed start date of the contract even if you arrive later in the semester, regardless of the reasons for late arrival
- Your reservation cannot be deferred to a later moment
For Master’s degree students who enrol per February, the rental period of the contracts are fixed on 12 months. For Exchange students, the rental period is fixed on 5 months. Cancellation of the contract is not possible, unless in case of limited, specific circumstances that are specified in the Terms and Conditions that apply to the rental contract. If you are looking for accommodation for a shorter time frame, for example because you are planning to conduct research or do an internship abroad, it is not possible to book this accommodation.
Tenancy
For students who enrol per February 2024, the Reserved Accommodation Programme does not offer housing for students who bring their partner, family or child(ren). If you are searching for housing that is suitable for a couple or family, please read our tips and tricks that may help you find housing on your own.
If you manage to book via the Reserved Accommodation Programme, this is always an individual booking. It is not possible to submit a joint application with your friend(s).
The housing providers of the Reserved Accommodation Programme do not allow pets. If you are searching for housing that is suitable for pets, please consult other ways to find housing. Be aware that finding student housing that allows pets adds an extra difficulty to your search and limits your chances.
This FAQ answers questions for international degree students planning to enrol at Utrecht University per September 2024. Are you planning to enrol as an Exchange student in 2024? Please follow this link to the FAQ for Exchange students.
Registration and booking
More information about how and when to book for students planning to enrol per September 2024 will follow around April 2024.
Once booking opens, the accommodation is rented out on first come, first served basis. You are advised not to postpone this to a later date or time. Still, even if you keep to the application date and time, there is a chance that you will not be able to arrange housing via the Reserved Accommodation Programme. Keep this in mind and also explore other options beforehand.
All housing part of the UU Reserved Accommodation Programme is very popular and books up quick. Because the overall number of reserved rooms and studios is limited, and finding housing this way is not guaranteed, you may have to search for housing on your own. This can be difficult and time consuming but the right preparation can increase your chances.
We aim to inform you to best of our abilities about finding housing on your own, and offer tips and tricks on our website.
Eligibility
You need to meet several conditions to be able to apply for the UU Reserved Accommodation Programme. Read more about the programme and the conditions.
No, the Reserved Accommodation Programme does not have an age limit to apply.
Yes, you are eligible to apply if you are under 18. Note that the housing provider may require a parent or guardian to co-sign your rental agreement.
Costs and rent
Each housing provider part of the UU Reserved Accommodation Programme has a different application process and different costs for rent and application. More details will follow about the various costs of Reserved Accommodation around April 2024.
You can find more general information on the average costs for (reserved) student housing on this page.
This is not possible. Reserved accommodation only offers housing with fixed start and end dates. You are responsible for the rent payments for the full duration of your contract. The booking conditions are:
- If you reserve accommodation you pay the rent per the fixed start date of the contract even if you arrive later in the semester, regardless of the reasons for late arrival
- Your reservation cannot be deferred to a later moment
For Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students, the rental period of the contracts are fixed on 12 months. Cancellation of the contract is not possible, unless in case of limited, specific circumstances that are specified in the Terms and Conditions that apply to the rental contract. If you are looking for accommodation for a shorter time frame, for example because you are planning to conduct research or do an internship abroad, it is not possible to book this accommodation.
Tenancy
For Master's degree students
The Reserved Accommodation Programme for Master's degree students offers very limited couple's options via housing provider Xior. Because the offers for couples are very limited, anticipate that you may not succeed with placing a booking for this type of housing. There are no offers via the UU Reserved Accommodation Programme for Master's students who bring a non-partner family member(s) or child(ren).
For Bachelor's degree students and Exchange students
The Reserved Accommodation Programme for Bachelor's degree students and Exchange students does not offer housing for students who bring a partner, family member(s) or child(ren).
If you are searching for housing that is suitable for a couple or family, please read our tips and tricks that may help you find housing on your own.
If you manage to book via the Reserved Accommodation Programme, this is always an individual booking. It is not possible to submit a joint application with your friend(s).
The housing providers of the Reserved Accommodation Programme do not allow pets. If you are searching for housing that is suitable for pets, please consult other ways to find housing. Be aware that finding student housing that allows pets adds an extra difficulty to your search and limits your chances.
More info on the Reserved Accommodation Programme
Legal matters
You may have a question about your rental contract or tenant rights. Utrecht University is not liable to provide legal advice about this. There are, however, several organisations that provide free legal support to students on Housing related matters:
- Vidius Utrecht (closed July until September)
Vidius Utrecht is a student run organisation that provides free legal assistance to students. For up to date contact information please see the Vidius website
- Rechtswinkel Utrecht
Rechtswinkel Utrecht is a student run organisation that provides free legal advice about various matters. For up to date contact info please see the Rechtswinkel website
- Dutch Student Union
The Dutch Student Union offers a helpline that aims to answer any legal questions or problems. For up to date contact information please see the LSVb website
- Huurteam Utrecht
Huurteam Utrecht offers free advice and help if you have issues regarding maintenance, your service costs and/or rent, or if you are facing intimidation by your landlord. For up to date contact information please see the website of Huurteam Utrecht
It is possible to have your rent (re)assessed even after you have come to an agreement with a landlord. Huurteam Utrecht can help you with your case or you can ask them for more information about the procedures. For up to date contact information please see the website of Huurteam Utrecht
If you are staying for more than four months in the Netherlands, you are legally required to go to the city council and register as a new resident. This is a mandatory procedure irrespective of your nationality or purpose of stay. Not all landlords allow registration. This may be, for example, because they do not have the correct permit to rent out the accommodation.
City registration and health care
You require a registration with the municipality on a legal address, documented by a proof of tenancy such as a rental agreement, for access to health care, a General Physician, and the Dutch vaccination programme. Because of this it is very important to search for legal housing where registration is possible. Click here for more information on the importance of City Registration.