Housing

When searching for housing in Groningen, it is important to be aware of scammers who often target students and international residents. Common warning signs include landlords claiming to be abroad, asking for deposits or rent payments before a viewing, offering properties at unusually low prices, or pressuring tenants to make quick decisions. Scammers may also use fake contracts, stolen photos, and false identities to appear trustworthy. To protect yourself, always verify the landlord’s identity, visit the property or arrange a trusted viewing, and use secure payment methods. If you suspect fraud, report it to the relevant authorities immediately.

When moving to Groningen, most people choose to start by renting a place. Once they are settled in the city, it becomes easier to look for a property to buy. However, finding a rental is not as easy as it may seem, as availability in the Netherlands is quite limited. Therefore, it is important to start your search early and be well prepared.

At Home in Groningen provides a lot of useful information on what to consider when looking for a place in the city. They also offer a webpage with detailed information about the different rental housing options available. IWCN also provides valuable insights to help you become more familiar with the Dutch rental market. Be sure to check them out before you start your search for accommodation.

Rent benefit

If you are renting in the Netherlands, you may be eligible for rent benefit. Make sure to check the conditions, as it could save you a significant amount of money.

Once you've decided where you would like to settle down, it's time to look for a house, apartment, or room. It's wise to start early, as it can take several months before you find something. If you're looking to buy a property, many houses can be found on Funda. What’s best for an international resident is to get in touch with a local real estate agent (makelaar), as they know all the ins and outs. Make sure you find an authorized real estate agent. This you can check by looking up the firm on Funda or VBO Makelaar. More information on real estate agents and buying a property in the Netherlands can be found on the IWCN website. 

Furthermore, if you'd like some assistance with finding a house, the International Welcome Center North has Housing Agents who are ready to help.

If you're staying in Groningen for a shorter period, such as a few weeks or months, there are also other options for finding accommodation. You can turn to The Social Hub, SSH, and Housing anywhere. These organizations specialize in short-term stays.

Like any city, Groningen has a variety of different neighbourhoods. From the characteristic old city districts to areas with family friendly and newly built homes. Each neighbourhood is unique, and there's always one that suits you best. To discover which neighbourhood aligns with your wishes, GroningenLife has put together an overview describing the various neighbourhoods of Groningen.

Besides the city, Groningen is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with villages full of character that are wonderful to live in. The big advantage: you can enjoy the atmosphere of a village and the vastness of the Groningen landscape and, if necessary, you find yourself in the city in no time. Close to the city you will find villages such as Haren, Meerstad and Ten Boer. Also, further into the province you will find gems to live in, such as Winschoten, Appingedam and Niehove. And did you know that here: you can even live in the most beautiful village of the Netherlands? Winsum was voted the most beautiful city in the country by the ANWB in 2020.

• Do not rely on just one housing website, try out different ones at the same time to find a house as soon as possible!
• Do not pay anything before you have a written contract and always ask for a receipt.
• Always be cautious! Check if the price that you are getting is not too good to be true and make sure there are clear photo's of the place.
• Avoid identity theft: never send a copy of your passport to strangers. If you do share a copy of your passport, make sure to obscure personal details.
• Don't transfer rent or deposit via Moneygram, Western Union or similar services.

For more information about moving to Groningen, check out At home in Groningen. Or go to the website of the Municipality of Groningen.

Do you have problems with your housing when it comes to housing discrimination, harassment, unreasonable service fees and excessive deposits? Then you can read more about rights and rules on this page on the website of the Municipality. You can also get help here.