Housing

Finding a place to live
Finding a place to live is one of the issues that you should look into as soon as you can once you have decided to move to the Netherlands. It is likely to take a lot of time and effort before you find something you are happy with. As a rule, many host organisations will offer you some accommodation initially, but only for a limited period of time. You will be expected to find your own accommodation soon after.

Finding housing through the International Centre
The International Centre (not to be confused with Student Educational Affairs) owns a number of appartments. These are available to international academic staff members, their families and to PhD students. In addition, it manages a database of privately-owned appartments and rooms that can be rented.

Other possibilities are:
• Renting through the government scheme ¨C tends to have very long waiting lists;
• Renting on the private market ¨C tends to be expensive;
• Buying ¨C tends to be very costly and involves some risks.

Once you have decided which option is most lsuitable for you, you can set to work. Your personal contacts will probably prove to be a valuable help in your search. After your arrival in the Netherlands, the local newspapers might also be a good source of information.

More information:
www.expatica.com  - Housing
An extensive website for expatriates, which also includes a section on Housing.
Amongst other things they run the following features:
- Dutch Housing update
- Your housing search starts here
- Where to live in Amsterdam (or any other major city in Holland)
- A renter's guide to dealing with housing agencies

Moving house
Let the authorities know when you move house.

Every town and city in the Netherlands keeps a register of everyone living there. As a foreign national, you most likely had to register with your local authority at the start of your immigration procedure. To keep the population register accurate and up-to-date, you are required to report any changes in your address to your local authority. This obligation applies to Dutch nationals and foreign nationals alike. This means that if you have been living in Utrecht, for example, and you then go to live in Amsterdam, you must report to the Town Hall in Amsterdam and inform them of your move.

You must report changes to your new local authority within five days of moving. The Town Hall department where you can do this is usually called Burgerzaken. Your Personnel Dept has copies of the necessary forms.

Do not forget to take these documents with you:
- proof of identity (a valid passport or an identity card)
- proof of your new residential address (e.g. the lease or purchase contract, or a declaration and a copy of a proof of identity of the main tenant or owner of the premises where you are staying).