How to prepare for an appointment with a Dutch landlord
Follow the advice described below to enhance your chances of getting the apartment or room that you want.
Once you've found an apartment that you’re interested in you should set up an appointment with the landlord as soon as possible.The longer you wait - even if it's only a matter of hours - chances are the apartment will be rented out to someone else before you get there.
When going to an appointment, be aware of the following points:
Be on time! The Dutch are very punctual. If you arrive late, they might think you will be late with paying your rent as well.
Dress well and be prepared for any questions the landlord may ask
Don't be scared of 1 year contracts
Even if you only intend on staying 6 months. If you like the place, sign the contract. If no notice period is mentioned in the contract, by Dutch law, you have a 1 month notice period. Thus a 1 year contract is good for a 6 month stay as well.
Visit the area around the apartment
Visit the area during the day and at night, or ask around to see what it is like. A neighbourhood can be perfectly peaceful during the day but can be noisy at night if there are bars nearby. Likewise, a calm neighbourhood in the evening may be a nightmare during the day due to traffic or construction work.
Tip: If you are looking for a furnished apartment and find them to be very pricy, look for an unfurnished one instead. You can always rent your furniture, and save a great deal on the property rental.
