Accommodation in Amsterdam

Accommodation in Amsterdam can be difficult to find, especially at a good price. There is always a lot of demand for property, and even low-quality rentals are highly sought after. Most of the property is small, which is especially true in the inner cities. For a small semi-furnished apartment along the canals in Amsterdam expect to fork out over €2,000 per month. A luxury place can cost as much as €6,000 to €7,000 per month, while €1,000 per month will finance a larger, two-bedroom place on the city outskirts. 
 

The city is working to provide a number of different housing solutions for expats. One such project is where a large residence takes the bottom floor of a building, with a number of apartments at higher levels.  
 

It is recommended that an expat in Amsterdam makes use of a rental agency. There are very few apartments which the rental agencies do not have a hand in. There are some cases in which a landlord offering a rental outside of an agency is breaking the law. A tenant must provide a passport and a payslip when wishing to rent an apartment. The pay-slip will prove the ability of the tenant to fulfil the lease.

Furnished apartments in Amsterdam are often treated as large hotel rooms and tenants will have very little protection. Contracts for semi-furnished apartments (containing kitchen appliances and sometimes a little basic furniture) and unfurnished apartment usually provide more tenant protection.
 

Buying property in Amsterdam, and the Netherlands, can be a very complex affair. To avoid struggling through red tape an estate agent should be hired to look after any transfer. Renting is also difficult, so any property bought as an investment may not make back what it is worth. The government subsidises apartments for many of its lower income citizens. Part of the strategy is to place residents in flats of their choosing.