What does the Home Renters Plan include?

Our Home Renters Plan assists tenants through the entire rental process — from defining your search profile and arranging viewings to reviewing contracts, handling negotiations, and coordinating move-in.

Do you help tenants nationwide?

Yes. Our network covers all major Dutch cities and regions, offering local expertise wherever you want to live.

How does the rental search process work?

After confirming your preferences and budget, your agent searches for suitable properties, arranges viewings, and negotiates terms once you’ve found a home you wish to rent.

What documents do I need to provide?

Landlords require identification, residence permit, proof of income (salary slips or employment contract), and recent bank statements for screening. Your agent will guide you through preparing these documents.

When do I pay the service fee?

This depends on your chosen service option. Rental Ready is payable upfront, while Premium is offered on a no cure, no pay basis and is payable once a rental agreement is successfully concluded. See our Packages Page for details.

What if I change my mind after agreeing to rent?

If you withdraw after confirming your intent to rent, cancellation fees apply as outlined in your agreement.

Do you represent both tenant and landlord?

No. Welocate represents you, the tenant, ensuring your interests are protected at every stage of the process.

Can you help me find a short-term rental?

Yes. However, please note that rental agreements shorter than 12 months have become increasingly rare in the Netherlands due to recent changes in rental legislation. Availability of short-term rentals varies by city and season, and your agent will be able to advise you on what is legally permitted and currently available.

Do you assist with utilities and moving arrangements?

Yes. We can help you set up utilities, internet, moving services, and maintenance through our trusted partners.

What happens if the landlord cancels or the property is withdrawn?

If the landlord withdraws the property before signing, you will not be charged any service fee.

Who prepares the lease agreement?

The agent working for the landlord prepares the lease agreement, Welocate will check it on your behalf.

How long does it take to find a rental home in the Netherlands?

Most expats find a home within 2 to 6 weeks, depending on budget, location, and season. Using a local agent speeds up the process significantly.

What documents do expats need to rent an apartment in the Netherlands?

Landlords typically request ID, residence permit, proof of income, and recent bank statements. Having these ready helps secure a property faster.

Is it hard for expats to rent in the Netherlands?

Competition can be strong, especially in cities like Amsterdam or Utrecht. Working with an agent who has local connections gives you faster access to available listings.

What is the average rental deposit in the Netherlands?

Most landlords ask for a deposit equal to one or two months’ rent, refundable at the end of the tenancy if the property is returned in good condition.

Can I rent a home without a Dutch employment contract?

Yes, it’s possible. Some landlords accept international employment proof or guarantors. Your agent can help present your documents to improve acceptance chances.

Renting a property the Netherlands

Renting a property in the Netherlands

Renting a property in the Netherlands can be a confusing process, full of pitfalls, often hidden costs and complex contracts that are difficult to terminate.

First you need to find suitable properties that meet your criteria, visit different ones and then start the process of negotiating the price and contract conditions. It is very important to have an expert helping you during this process. With your interests at heart our agents know what to watch out for and understand the Dutch language as well as the legalities.

At Welocate we have created the Home Renters Plan to help expats rent a property for short, medium or long stay. Our experts can help you through all steps to find the right rental home for you.

The Home Renters Plan

Are you searching for a house or apartment to rent? If so, the Home Renters Plan is the ideal solution for you.

We have developed a complete package of services for a fixed price to assist you. The Home Renters Plan takes all your worries away through the entire renting process.

We will be there to help you right from the start to find suitable properties that are within your budget and specified requirements.

Renting a home

The following show you the steps required to rent a home in the Netherlands as well as explain how we can help you.

Step 1: Home Renters Plan options

The first step is choosing the Home Renters Plan that best matches your rental journey and support needs. With Rental Ready, you manage the property search, viewings and offers while we prepare, guide and help you throughout the process. With Premium, we personally manage the complete rental journey on your behalf. See the full comparison on in the table below.

Step 2: Creating your profile

Your dedicated rental specialist will discuss your requirements, preferences and rental situation with you. This enables us to understand exactly what you’re looking for and provide support tailored to your needs throughout every stage of your search.

Step 3: Preparing your documents

We will help you create a professional renter CV and carefully screen your supporting documents, ensuring your application is complete and ready to submit. Missing documents are one of the most common reasons rental applications are rejected, so we will make sure you are fully prepared. Your completed profile will also help us present you as a strong candidate to prospective landlords.

Step 4: Searching for properties

Rental Ready: HomeChecker monitors the rental market based on your preferences and sends suitable matches directly to your inbox. Smart listing insights help you act quickly and search with confidence.

Premium: You receive HomeChecker plus a dedicated advisor who actively searches our network and multiple rental sources on your behalf, increasing your chances of finding the right home.

Step 5: Booking viewings

In the current fast-moving rental market, speed is of the essence. Upon finding a suitable property we will immediately arrange a viewing on your behalf. This gives you the best possible chance of being able to secure a viewing.

Step 6: Making an offer

It is essential, at this stage, all relevant information is provided to the party renting the property. Acting quickly is important in the current market. If you wish to proceed with renting the property, we will discuss the best approach, and after obtaining your approval, we will submit an offer on your behalf.

Step 7: Reviewing the contract

Once your offer is accepted, the landlord will provide a draft rental contract. Your advisor will review to confirm its accuracy, ensure all agreed points are included, identify any unusual conditions, and check the terms respect your rights as a tenant.

Step 8: After signing

We will assist you in setting up your electricity, gas, water and internet ready for when you move into your new home. Before moving in and receiving the keys, you will usually need to pay the first month's rent and the agreed deposit into the bank account specified in the contract.

Step 9: Moving in day

We will be there to help with the check-in and make a detailed record of the condition of the property and furnishings, note the meter readings and answer any questions you may have.

Step 10: Congratulations!

Welcome to your new home! We are more than happy to provide additional assistance after you move in, should you require this. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

What it costs

The Home Renters Plan options are offered at a fixed price. The table below details the services included within each option. The prices are including 21% VAT.

Home Renters Plan

Dedicated rental specialist

Strategy and profile

Preparing your documents

Searching for properties

Homechecker app

Booking viewings

Offer creation

Contract check

Utility setup

Check-in service

Fee

Rental Ready

€ 349

Premium

€ 1995
No cure no pay

Home Renters Plan
Dedicated rental specialist
Strategy and profile
Preparing your documents
Searching for properties	Premium only
Homechecker app
Booking viewings *	Premium only
Offer creation	Premium only
Contract check
Utility setup
Check-in service	Premium only
Rental Ready	€ 349
Premium ¹	€ 1995

1. Premium package is no cure no pay

Interested? Feel free to contact or call us.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Home Renters Plan include?
- Our Home Renters Plan assists tenants through the entire rental process — from defining your search profile and arranging viewings to reviewing contracts, handling negotiations, and coordinating move-in.
Do you help tenants nationwide?
- Yes. Our network covers all major Dutch cities and regions, offering local expertise wherever you want to live.
How does the rental search process work?
- After confirming your preferences and budget, your agent searches for suitable properties, arranges viewings, and negotiates terms once you’ve found a home you wish to rent.
What documents do I need to provide?
- Landlords require identification, residence permit, proof of income (salary slips or employment contract), and recent bank statements for screening. Your agent will guide you through preparing these documents.
When do I pay the service fee?
- This depends on your chosen service option. Rental Ready is payable upfront, while Premium is offered on a no cure, no pay basis and is payable once a rental agreement is successfully concluded. See our Packages Page for details.
What if I change my mind after agreeing to rent?
- If you withdraw after confirming your intent to rent, cancellation fees apply as outlined in your agreement.
Do you represent both tenant and landlord?
- No. Welocate represents you, the tenant, ensuring your interests are protected at every stage of the process.
Can you help me find a short-term rental?
- Yes. However, please note that rental agreements shorter than 12 months have become increasingly rare in the Netherlands due to recent changes in rental legislation. Availability of short-term rentals varies by city and season, and your agent will be able to advise you on what is legally permitted and currently available.
Do you assist with utilities and moving arrangements?
- Yes. We can help you set up utilities, internet, moving services, and maintenance through our trusted partners.
What happens if the landlord cancels or the property is withdrawn?
- If the landlord withdraws the property before signing, you will not be charged any service fee.
Who prepares the lease agreement?
- The agent working for the landlord prepares the lease agreement, Welocate will check it on your behalf.
How long does it take to find a rental home in the Netherlands?
- Most expats find a home within 2 to 6 weeks, depending on budget, location, and season. Using a local agent speeds up the process significantly.
What documents do expats need to rent an apartment in the Netherlands?
- Landlords typically request ID, residence permit, proof of income, and recent bank statements. Having these ready helps secure a property faster.
Is it hard for expats to rent in the Netherlands?
- Competition can be strong, especially in cities like Amsterdam or Utrecht. Working with an agent who has local connections gives you faster access to available listings.
What is the average rental deposit in the Netherlands?
- Most landlords ask for a deposit equal to one or two months’ rent, refundable at the end of the tenancy if the property is returned in good condition.
Can I rent a home without a Dutch employment contract?
- Yes, it’s possible. Some landlords accept international employment proof or guarantors. Your agent can help present your documents to improve acceptance chances.