Houses for Rent in Utrecht, Netherlands

Utrecht’s Location Within the Netherlands

For quiet homes and great work-life balance, Utrecht is the best option. The city is perfectly located in the centre of the country, with great public transport facilities and easy access to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and even The Hague.

Lifestyles in Utrecht and Its Quality of Life

The city is brimming with families, thanks to the green parks and charming suburbs and canals. This is in addition to the historic city centre, which young professionals put to good use with its offerings of gastronomy and nightlife.

Houses for Families in Suburban Districts

Moving with the family? Suburban places such as Leidsche Rijn provide spacious and contemporary homes, which often also include gardens and a number of good local schools.

Houses for Students and Shared Accommodation

For students, shared accommodation (also known as sectioning) is the most popular form of renting, where they rent a room in a bigger property. You should also check our other page about rooms for rent in Utrecht.

Houses With Furniture and Houses Without Furniture

In Utrecht, properties can be offered fully furnished, partially furnished, or unfurnished. Fully furnished properties tend to be the most expensive and catered for short-term expats, while unfurnished properties tend to be the most economical for long-term businesses.

Long-Term versus Short-Term Rent

Short-term rentals are more challenging to secure. However, they could be the best option for expats or digital nomads. Expats find long-term contracts (12 months or more) easier to obtain in Utrecht.

Rent Price Per Neighbourhood:

• City Centre: €1.600–€2.500 per month
• Lombok and Oudwijk: €1.200–€1.800 per month
• Leidsche Rijn: €1.500–€2.200 per month (family-friendly and modern houses)

Comparison With Amsterdam

On average, houses in Utrecht are 20-30% cheaper than Amsterdam. If you are flexible, you may want to take a look at houses for rent in Amsterdam and compare the offers.

Other Expenses to Pay Attention To:

• Utilities (electricity, water, internet)
• Municipial Taxes
• Service fees (if an agency is used)

Agencies and Online Platforms

Rent Hunter is the most notable of the rental platforms as it compiles listings from over a hundred rental sites which also include Kamernet, Pararius, and Stekkies.

How to Avoid Scams:

• Through a vetted video tour or personally, always inspect the property.
• Deposits should not be paid in cash in the absence of a rental agreement.
• Reputable sites should be used as opposed to social media advertisements.

Optimal Housing Search Period

Academic years commence and the busiest months witness traffic between July and September. Winter is the ideal period, and there is less search competition prevalent during this period.

Rules Regarding Deposits and Termination

The deposit is usually 1–2 months’ rent and is paid to the landlord. Ensure that, in the contract, the terms for the refund are clearly outlined.

If houses do not fit your needs or budget, other rental options in Utrecht can be considered:

• Rooms in Utrecht
• Studios in Utrecht
• Apartments in Utrecht

Especially for students and young professionals, these options tend to be either cheaper or more flexible.

• Documents such as ID, work contract, and income proof should be prepared beforehand.
• Respond quickly: especially for centrally-located houses, the competition is fierce.
• To improve your odds, contemplate different neighborhoods.
• People looking to rent houses may benefit from negotiating rent or furniture.