Rent a place in breda
Social housing, private sector and housing associations
In the Netherlands, there are two main rental options: social housing (sociale huurwoning) and the private sector (vrije sector).
Social housing usually has long waiting lists and is therefore difficult to access for newcomers. For this reason, most newly arrived internationals rent a place in the private sector.
There are several websites you can use to start your housing search. These platforms are a good starting point to get an overview of what is available in and around Breda:
- Pararius – mainly for private rental properties
- Funda – for both renting and buying
- Klikvoorwonen – for social housing in the region
SEARCHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media platforms, especially Facebook, are commonly used to find long‑term rental accommodation in Breda.
A good approach is to join several housing groups, post a short and friendly introduction about yourself, and check new posts regularly. Because the rental market is very active, available places are often rented out quickly.
Please be careful when searching for housing on social media. Unfortunately, scammers are active in the rental market. Always do your own checks and trust your instincts.
Never send money for a property you have not visited, and do not make payments to people you have not met in person.
Facebook groups/pages for finding accommodation:
- Kamers, studio’s en appartementen in Breda
- Room(mates), studios or apartments in Breda
- Find a room(mate) or house in Breda – Kamer(s) in Breda
- Living Arrangements Breda
- Find a room in Breda (International students friendly)
- Breda Rooms
RENTING IN BREDA BY-THE-BOOK
Official rental platforms and agents
The most official and structured way to look for rental housing in Breda is through specialised rental platforms or by working with a real estate agent (makelaar). Many of these platforms require a paid subscription to see contact details or to respond to listings. If you use a paid service, remember to cancel your subscription once you have found a place.
Useful terms in Dutch:
- huren = to rent
- kopen = to buy
- te huur = for rent
- te koop = for sale
- kamer = room
- (woon)huis = house
- woning = residence, dwelling
- makelaar = real estate agent
- makelaardij = agency
Here are a few search terms (zoektermen) in Dutch to help you find the most popular housing platforms used by locals:
- kamer huren Breda
- appartement huren Breda
- woning kopen/huren
- huis kopen/huren Breda
- huurwoningen
- rental apartments Breda
- studio huren Breda
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN RENTING IN BREDA
Here are a few practical tips about what to expect when renting a place, what to look out for when searching for a place, and other things to keep in mind when renting in Breda. Read all about it below.
- bare shell (kaal) – The property is empty. There is no flooring, lighting, appliances, or curtains.
- unfurnished/upholstered (gestoffeerd) – The property usually has flooring, basic lighting, curtains or blinds, and kitchen appliances such as a fridge and stovetop.
- furnished (gemeubileerd) – The property includes furniture, appliances, and often items such as a washing machine, lamps, kitchen utensils, and bedding. These homes are usually move‑in ready.
Rent, service costs, and utilities:
- Service costs (servicekosten) may include shared building costs such as cleaning, lighting in hallways, elevators, and window cleaning.
- Utilities (WGL) stand for water, gas, and electricity.
MUNICIPAL TAXES
As a tenant, you are also responsible for municipal taxes, such as water, sewer, and waste collection. These costs are usually charged once per year by the municipality and are not included in the rent. For an estimate of these costs in Breda, visit the BWBrabant website.
Important thing TO KEEP IN MIND:
- Always check if the description of the place matches the photos.
- Do not pay before viewing a property.
- Don’t rent a place without a proper lease (legal contract). It’s not a regular practice in the Netherlands and if someone tries to do it, it might be a scam.
- Never transfer money if you feel unsure. As a tenant, you won’t have any rights to claim the money back without a signed document.
- You might need to make a downpayment to secure the property (after viewing it) – always ask for a receipt!
- A deposit of up to two months’ rent is common.
- Provide identification details when signing a lease and allow the landlord to verify the information against your ID.
- Make sure you are allowed to register with the municipality (gemeente) at the address. Some addresses only allow one registered resident.
- Large appliances such as washing machines or dryers are often not included in the property. These can sometimes be rented separately.
Legally, a landlord is usually allowed to break a lease contract for three main reasons:
- if they want to live in the property themselves. The landlord needs to give the tenant advanced notice (according to the terms of the contract)
- if rent has not been paid according to the contract
- if the tenant has damaged the property or broken other rules mentioned in the contract.
Tenant rights are covered in Article 7 of the Dutch Civil Code. To learn more about your rights and obligations, you can read an English translation of the Dutch Civil Code or visit the Dutch government website for information about rental housing.
DRIVER’S LICENCE
Recommended service:
Huyskeepers
At Huyskeeper, we are dedicated to finding you the perfect home in Breda. We support you through every step, from starting your search to moving in. Having lived abroad ourselves, we understand the challenges of relocating and prioritize your comfort and satisfaction.
With over 20 years of local experience, we truly know Breda inside out.
- E-mail: info@huyskeeper.nl
- Tel: +31 (0)6-24210466