• Begin early: affordable housing in Amsterdam is scarce, and it often takes months to find a room, so begin your search as early as possible. Do not wait until your visa or study enrolment is approved. If you wait, you might not find housing.
• Expand your search area: consider housing in nearby towns, such as Diemen, Haarlem, Zaandam, Almere, Purmerend, Hoofddorp and more. Public transport in the Netherlands is generally excellent, and compared to other larger capital cities the commute time from these towns is very acceptable (i.e. < 1 hour).
• Get social: Activate your social network and tell everyone you are looking for a room. Get in touch with current students and study organisations who might know of rooms that are opening up. Reach out to housing platforms, landlords, agencies, students, anyone who could provide you with help or tips; try to find people or organisations that are more knowledgeable on the subject and use their expertise.
• Manage your expectations: Do not expect a room with canal view in the city centre of Amsterdam for an affordable price. Start with an imperfect room if necessary – it’s better to look for a housing upgrade than to have no place to stay at all.
• Spread your chances: Don’t rely on one platform, listing or lead. Chances are you will go through a lot of rejections on different platforms before getting an offer. Also, do not blindly rely on UvA Student Housing to provide you with a room – if you choose to apply, you are participating in a lottery. Do not put all your eggs in one basket and do not be discouraged by failed attempts.
• The ASVA Student Union provides general information about renting a room in Amsterdam and can act as a room mediator between students and landlords. They also provide guidelines on what to consider when viewing a room. For more information, please visit their webpage.

• If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• Do not transfer money before a viewing (especially via Western Union or PayPal). Always check the apartment and make sure the keys work, before handing over large amounts of money. If you can’t do this yourself, again, see if you can ask someone else to help.
• Research advertised photos via google reverse image search.
• Google the landlord and address. Always good to read some reviews. And look for a KvK-number (check their registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce)
• Always ask for a contract. That gives you more security.
• Be wary of illegal fees. Examples of illegal fees are: agency fees, disproportionally high administration fees or contract fees. A deposit of one or two months’ rent is usually required. This is refunded if you leave the property in good condition.
• Be aware of illegal subletting, as this may affect your rights as a tenant.
• If in doubt, check your rights. The support agency !Woon is specialized in providing legal advice.
• The Dutch Student Union (LSVb) has a Housing Hotline. Here you can ask questions regarding housing and voice your complaints.
• The website CollegeLife offers The Complete Guide to Student Housing, with a wealth of information on how to find housing, the typical anatomy of a rental contract, and also how to avoid scams.

We highly recommend finding accommodation that allows registration at the municipality. In order to secure a BSN number (your Dutch citizen’s service number), you need to be registered at the municipality. You need a BSN number to obtain Dutch insurance, a telephone number, a bank account, or a job. If you move into a room where registration is not allowed, we urge students to only view this as a temporary initial solution, and to register at the municipality within three months after arriving in the Netherlands. For non-EU students, if you have not registered by the end of your third month, the IND will eventually proceed with the cancellation of your residence permit and you will need to leave the country.

• OurDomain
  Offers furnished studios or 2-person apartments. Sign up to get notified when apartments become available.
• Socius
  A housing agency for mostly young people. Some locations are exclusively for students.
• The Social Hub
  Offers fully furnished rooms with private bathroom and shared kitchen. You can subscribe to their newsletter to receive updates, news and offers.
• Hotel Jansen
  An all-inclusive hotel aimed at short-stay accommodation for students and young professionals from all over the world. Fully furnished rooms with shared kitchen.

• Kamernet
  Offers a large number of rooms. You need to have a personal profile to respond to room adverts. They charge a fee for membership (Premium Membership 1 month: €34,-).
• Hospi Housing
  Hospi Housing is the biggest platform for homestay in the Netherlands. They offer a free-to-use platform with hundreds of verified hosts and guest families. Hospi Housing does not charge any registration fees, you only pay a one-time fee if you find a room. Staying with a host or guest family will give you a soft landing in town and is the perfect way to get in touch with Dutch culture and language. Get more information and sign up through their website.
• Roomplaza
  Offers flatshares for students. One time registration fee of €35,00.
• HousingAnywhere
  An international housing platform for students and trainees. Rooms, studios and apartments are offered by verified private landlords and by outgoing students. Sign up here to receive an UvA profile and priority access to the listings. For more information contact vip@housinganywhere.com
• HelloHousemate
  You can create a free profile to search and respond to rental housing listings. You can also sign up for “Housemate Connect”, a platform where you can find other people looking for housing and start looking for housing together.

• KamerAmsterdam
  Offers rooms. However, a fee might be required to apply for rooms.

• Kamer 
  Connects students with rooms, studios and apartments. Users can create a profile listing their specifications to receive email alerts on relevant properties.

• Pararius
  Offers a large number of rooms. Searching the site and responding to ads is free.
• Facebook
  Has several groups for finding a room (some in Dutch only). Please be aware of scammers in these groups! For example:
  • Kamers Gezocht/Aangeboden
  • Kamer gezocht in Amsterdam (from ASVA, the Amsterdam Student Union)
  • Amsterdam Apartments (for shared apartments with more than 1 other student)
  • Amsterdam Apartments 4 Rent
• Kamerverhuur
  Another platform with housing listings, but only available in Dutch.

• Hostelworld
• Wimdu / AirBnB
  Online platforms with a wide range of private accommodation to rent temporarily in Amsterdam. Private parties offer rooms or whole apartments for short term rent. Please note: no registration at the municipality possible!
• Stayokay
  3 locations in Amsterdam
• Generator Hostel
• Xplore hostel
• Hans Brinker Hostel
• Wow Amsterdam 
  Amsterdam-West
• Train Lodge
  Amsterdam-West, near train station Sloterdijk
• Clink
  Amsterdam Noord (5 minutes by free ferry from central station)
• Hostel Sarphati 
  Amsterdam Zuid
• Hostel Annemarie 
  Amsterdam Center
• Hostel Uptown
• Youth Hostel Leidseplein

• Funda
  With listings from all real estate agents.

• Xpat Rentals

• Huurwoningen
  Available in Dutch only.

• Amsterdam Housing
• RentSlam
  Monthly subscription packages cost between €16,65 - €29,95 a month.
• Nestpick

• Uniplaces

• HappyBrokers

• Urban Short Stay
  Mostly for PhD candidates and most apartment advertisements require a minimum income to apply.

• Holland2stay
  Sign up for rooms, both first come first serve & lottery. However, most apartments require a minimum income to apply.
• Roofz