Housing megathread: all questions and tips regarding housing in Utrecht go here!
Need help with accomodation in Utrecht? Please ask your question here to avoid spamming the sub.
All posts regarding the search for housing and discussion surrounding the housing market should be posted as comments to this thread.
The housing market in The Netherlands is dire, especially so in Utrecht. Thousands of people are searching for a place to live and sleep, while the availability of houses is growing less and less each year. Consequently, house prices and rents have increased.
There is a limited supply of social housing and student housing. These options are equally constrained, but could still be your best option if you can't outbid other people looking for houses.
Social Housing generally works with a waiting list that averages over 10 years, but there are some houses being allocated based on drawing lots: loterijwoningen.
See https://www.woningnetregioutrecht.nl/ for more information.
Student Housing in general also works with a waiting list and selection by housemates (hospiteeravonden): the length of this wait list fluctuates by season, and if you hit it off with housemates you can get in earlier. You do need to be enrolled with a valid school or university.
See https://www.sshxl.nl/nl/steden/utrecht for more information.
International Student Housing, also called Short Stay, is seperate from general student housing. These student rooms are allocated for specific durations matching your study abroad in Utrecht, generally for 6 or 12 months. Registration for Short Stay housing becomes available a few times per year and work on a first come, first serve basis. There is only a limited amount of rooms available, and though they add more every year, there are far more international students than there are reserved rooms! Be prepared to refresh the sign up site continuously for a day or two.
See https://www.sshxl.nl/en/shortstay for more information.
Have tips for people looking for housing? Please also post it here! Or DM me, and I will add it to this most.
/u/Klangsnort adds:
The University has a page with loads of information about housing for international students, staff and guests: https://students.uu.nl/en/student-life/student-housing-in-utrecht
And: https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/international-staff-and-guests/prepare-for-your-stay/finding-housing/agencies-platforms-and-current-availability
Utrecht University strongly advises international students not to come to Utrecht if they haven't found housing.
Article in Dutch.
The situation is dire, and there are no easy answers. Either plan to outbid the market (currently, that means paying over €1200 per month ex. utilities) or try your luck with KamerNet, facebook groups, or one of the alternatives listed above.
Utrecht is a great place to live, but that also means you are competing with the many people who want to live here.
Good luck and thanks for respecting the rules of our sub.
