How it appears in listings
Listings say "inschrijving mogelijk" or "inschrijven toegestaan" when you can register at the address, and "geen inschrijving" or "inschrijven niet mogelijk" when the landlord says you cannot. English pages use "registration possible" or "no registration". The word "inschrijving" is also used for signing up to a waiting list, which has nothing to do with the BRP (see inschrijfduur).
In a sample of 20,000 listings that appeared on RentHunter between 19 September and 19 October 2026, 13.4% say registration is allowed and 1.0% say it is not. Most say nothing, so ask before you sign.
What it means for you
- Registration is your duty, not the landlord's favour. The Wet BRP requires you to report where you live. A clause in a lease that forbids registration does not remove that duty. If a landlord refuses, contact the municipality before you commit.
- Many things depend on it. You need a registered address to get a BSN (citizen service number) and to receive huurtoeslag: everyone in the home must be registered at the address.
- The fine is real. Not registering on time can cost up to €325. The same maximum applies to someone who knowingly lets another person be registered at their address incorrectly.
The municipality may ask for proof that you live there: your lease, or a signed consent from the main occupant if you live in someone else's home, for example with a hospita or in a sublet.
The deadlines in practice
| Situation | Who | When to report |
|---|---|---|
| Arriving from abroad | You expect to live in the Netherlands for more than 4 months | In person at your municipality, at the latest on the 5th day after arrival |
| Moving within the Netherlands | Anyone already registered | From 4 weeks before until the 5th day after the move |
Example: you move from Rotterdam to a new flat in Utrecht on 1 November 2026. You can report your new address from 4 October 2026, and you must do so by 6 November 2026.
Not to be confused with
Registering your address is not the same as getting a huisvestingsvergunning, the housing permit some homes require. You can need both, and one does not replace the other.
Frequently asked questions
How fast must I register after moving?
Within 5 days. When you move within the Netherlands you can already report the new address up to 4 weeks before the move.
My landlord says I can't register. Is that allowed?
The duty to register is yours by law, and a clause in the contract cannot remove it. Ask the municipality for advice before you sign, because without registration you cannot get huurtoeslag.
What happens if I don't register?
You can be fined up to €325, and you lose access to things that depend on a registered address, such as huurtoeslag.
