If you cannot find a room through Maastricht Housing (the official student housing portal) then you can also look at traditional housing agencies and estate agents.
The easiest way to look at all the rooms on offer is Pararius.nl. The website gives an overview of what the local agencies and estate agents have. Some of the rooms are good, but they’re less thoroughly checked than the rooms available on Maastricht Housing, so be careful!
Often, the housing offered on Pararius.nl is more expensive than the housing offered at Maastricht Housing. Always check for hidden costs like mediation or administrative fees, which are illegal in the Netherlands. In addition, make sure your agent complies with the Dutch regulations about rental prices and deposits.
How to be careful renting on Pararius
- Contract fees, or agency fees are illegal in the Netherlands. If you have paid those, make an appointment at Huurteam Zuid-Limburg for more information on how to get those fees back.
- Check your rent (website in Dutch). In the Netherlands, rent prices are fixed according to a point system. Points are given for facilities. This means that you don’t pay more for things such as location or nice looks! If you need help with your rent check, contact the Huurteam Zuid-Limburg for free advice.
- Get your contract checked by Huurteam Zuid-Limburg.
- If you pay service costs (electricity & water) monthly, you should receive an overview of the actual annual costs. This overview shows the actual service costs and whether your advance was too high, too low, or correct. If you have not received this, request it from your landlord or agency. They are obliged to provide it to you.
There are other comparison websites, though pararius.nl is the most commonly used in Maastricht. The other options are :Kamers in Maastricht, Funda, Huurwoning, and Direct Wonen.
It is also possible to go directly through a housing agency. A lot of students or expats find their apartment this way. However, please be aware that students do not always have good experiences with these agencies. Always contact the Huurteam Zuid-Limburg if you’re unsure whether you’re receiving fair treatment or not.
