Reserved housing for international PhDs

You can register an account up to 4 months prior to your arrival. As of the first working day of the month your registration is reviewed by Utrecht University. If your registration is correct after review by UU you will receive an automated e-mail about your approval and you can submit a reservation request on first come first served basis. Below you can find an overview of when you can register. Due to limited availability we advise you not to postpone your registration to a later date or month. 

 

• Start rental period 1 April 2024
• Registration possible: 1 December 2023 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Friday 1 December 2023
   
• Start rental period 1 May 2024
  Registration possible: 1 January 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Tuesday 2 January 2024
   
• Start rental period 1 June 2024
  Registration possible: 1 February 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Thursday 1 February 2024
   
• Start rental period 1 July 2024
  Registration possible: 1 March 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Friday 1 March 2024
   
• Start rental period 1 August 2024
  Registration possible: 1 April 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Tuesday 2 April 2024
   
• Start rental period 1 September 2024
  Registration possible: 1 May 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Wednesday 1 May 2024
   
• Start rental period 1 October 2024
  Registration possible: 1 June 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Monday 3 June 2024
   
• Start rental period 1 November 2024
  Registration possible: 1 July 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Monday 1 July 2024
   
• Start rental period 1 December 2024
  Registration possible: 1 August 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Thursday 1 August 2024
   
• Start rental period 1 January 2025
  Registration possible: 1 September 2024 onwards
  For review by UU as of: Monday 2 September 2024

Average rent for international PhDs

Average rental prices are roughly between 950 and 1170 for a self-contained studio or apartment including facilities. Please note that due to an increase of energy costs, the total rent amount per month is higher than previous years. For information about your rent, please contact SSH Short Stay directly: info@sshxl.nl. 
Note that for tenancy agreements for a rental period of 6 months or shorter an added one off 9% Tax Fee is charged over the combined rent. For the accommodations on the "Kriekenpitplein" the cleaning costs are included in the rent. For the other accommodation these costs are charged separately. 

Rental periods

SSH Short Stay accommodation can be rented for a minimum of one calendar month, and a maximum of one year. You can terminate the rental contract on the first day of the month, subject to a notice period of one calendar month.

Locations

All accommodation is situated within travelling distance from the various university locations: on Utrecht Science Park, in the nearby community Zeist, and on the International Campus Utrecht.

1. If you meet the conditions to apply, your UU faculty's HR contact person must first inform the International Service Desk (ISD) of your arrival. Once the ISD is aware of your arrival you can register for housing.

2. Visit the SSH website for the application form. Registration is free of charge

3. Fill out the webform. Select “International PhD’s, Staff & Guests - Utrecht University”.  For type of resident, select “UU PhD Candidates” regardless if you hold an employment contract or if you are -temporarily- affiliated through a hospitality agreement

4. Your registration will be reviewed by the UU International Service Desk

5. If your registration is correct it will be approved and you can submit a reservation request for your registered time frame via the rent offers page

6. If you actually reserve accommodation, you pay a non-refundable down payment of one (first) month’s rent, the one-off cleaning costs and the reservation fee of 77,50 euros

Registration not approved?
When your registration is under review by the UU International Service Desk they may determine that your registration is incorrect, incomplete or that you are not eligible. If this is the case you would receive an automated message by SSH Short Stay with the reason why your registration is not approved. Please read the reason or further instructions carefully and if you have any questions on how to proceed kindly contact the ISD.

No availability?
It is possible that there is no availability within your registered time frame. You can then consider a later arrival, searching on your own, or booking temporary accommodation such as a hotel or hostel at first. 

Are you under 28, and will you stay for longer than a year?
Then we recommend you to also apply for SSH unfurnished Long Stay accommodation. This can help you find accommodation after the first year. Follow this link to our student website for more information and how to apply.

Xior

If an offer becomes available in the Rotsoord building it is posted in the Xior booking portal. We advise you to check the Xior portal regularly for availability and to sign up for the Xior / Plaza PhD mailer alert. In the case an offer becomes available, you will receive a notification from Utrecht University.

Note that if an accommodation requires a booking code, the accommodation is reserved for another tenant group, and you are not eligible to apply. 

Plaza

Most Plaza offers become available around January to May. All contracts are temporary, with a fixed end date beginning of August. Sign up for the  Xior / Plaza PhD mailer alert. In the case a studio becomes available for a PhD candidate you would be informed how to apply. 

Furnishings

Most studio apartments offered by Xior are furnished with basic furniture (bed, desk and wardrobe), but this is not always the case. The ad of the available unit will indicate if the studio is furnished or unfurnished.

Monthly rent

The monthly rent for a studio in the Rotsoord building is between 775 - 1225 excluding and 1015 - 1385 euros including mandatory service costs and utilities per month. 

Keep in mind that, as explained in the contract, the monthly rent excludes Municipal taxes. These must be paid by the tenant to the Municipality of Utrecht upon request.

Costs

Application for a Xior account is free of charge. Only when you reserve an accommodation when booking opens you pay a non-refundable registration fee of 25 euros.

Advanced payments

When your reservation has been checked and approved by Utrecht University you can complete your reservation by signing the agreement and completing the additional advanced payments via bank transfer within 24 hours:

• Non-refundable administration fee: 75 euros 
• One-off cleaning fee: 115 euros
• Deposit:  1000 euros
• First month’s rent

Optional packages (select during booking):

• Linen package: 95 euros
• Starter package of tableware: 45 euros
• Cleaning package: 50 euros
• Cooking package: 55 euros

Visit the Xior website for more information on the various optional packages. 

Rental period

The reserved housing via Xior for eligible PhD candidates is exclusively available for fixed rental period of 12 months or a temporary contract with a fixed rental period until the beginning of August. The rental period is indicated in the ad.

Important: 

• it is not possible to cancel the accommodation prematurely, nor is it possible to extend your stay.
• Tenants are responsible for the rental payments for the full tenancy period. If you arrive later, regardless of the reasons why, Xior cannot defer a reservation to a later moment and you remain responsible for paying the rent per the starting date of the contract. 

Furnishings

Plaza studios are furnished with basic furniture (bed, desk and wardrobe). 

Monthly rent

The monthly rent for a studio in the Campus030 building is 576 euros excluding and 803 euros including mandatory service costs and utilities per month. You also pay a deposit of 1152 euros. The studio apartments are eligible for rent allowance if you meet the conditions of the Dutch Tax Office.

Keep in mind that, as explained in the contract, the monthly rent excludes Municipal taxes. These must be paid by the tenant to the Municipality of Utrecht upon request.

Rental period

Start dates are variable, depending on availability. Most Plaza offers become available around January to May. Contracts are temporary, with a fixed end date beginning of August.

More information about the offer and how to apply is sent out depending on availability, if you sign up for the Plaza/Xior mailing alert.