In this week’s Uni Life Unlocked article, brace yourself for a whirlwind journey through the highs and lows of the housing hunt. Picture this: you are on the brink of a new academic adventure, with housing as your elusive Holy Grail. The demand is soaring, houses are vanishing like Hogwarts letters, and the clock is ticking. It's not uncommon for desperate students to find themselves living in temporary hotel limbo. But fear not, dear reader, for we've got the keys to navigate this labyrinth. Join us as we unveil a trove full of tips and tricks to ensure you find the perfect student abode long before your academic odyssey begins. 

Hold on to your hats, because in the land of tulips and windmills, finding your dream abode might cost you a lot! Picture this: in the wonderful city of Breda, the average student rooms could set you back anywhere from €450 to €550. But brace yourself, because in some cases, you might be spending up to €950 for the crème de la crème of student accommodations. Now, here's the scoop: you'll usually snag a snug private bedroom but prepare to cozy up in communal spaces like the kitchen, bathroom, and if you're lucky, a living room (fingers crossed, right?).  Your housemates will be a melting pot of backgrounds and experiences, opening the door wide to potential friendships! Just be sure to keep an eye out for those elusive room-dwelling hermits. Below we’ll see some precious websites where you can find your dream home. 

The digital realm is your oyster when it comes to hunting for a new home! Countless websites await your exploration, and luckily for you, we have rounded up the best housing websites to explore:

1. Xoir

Xoir is present in 8 countries around the world, with over 18000 students in their residences. The studios on offer have this price range: €325-€765 excl. extra costs. Most of their residences are centrally located and close to institutions. 

2. Klinkvoorkamers

With Klinkvoorkamers often the rooms are not furnished, but you can find cheap furniture in places like second-hand stores, second-hand websites, Facebook pages, or Ikea. This is a joint initiative of the three housing corporations in Breda: Laurentius, Alwel, and WonenBreburg. They use three systems to assign rooms. Either first response, by lot, or waiting list. Signing up is free of charge.

3. Stadhuis

Stadhuis mediates between tenants and landlords concerning properties in Breda. They rent several types of homes of different sizes in various price ranges, not only in Breda but also nearby.

4. Breda Wonen

BredaWonen guides you in renting or renting your home in Breda and surroundings. BredaWonen can also help you with management and maintenance. 

5. Rentola

As a free member of Rentola.nl you can easily find all the available rental properties that meet your needs on their website. You can also create a search agent and they will email you whenever a new home that meets your criteria becomes available.

You can also opt for a premium subscription. As a premium member you will receive the contact details of the landlord directly via the ad. Without a subscription it is not possible to contact the owner. 

In addition to the various sites, there are various Facebook pages that you can consult. In the wild world of Facebook, where accommodation opportunities are abundant, a word of caution is in order, beware of the shadowy figures lurking in the corners, ready to weave their web of deceit with promises of phantom homes. Now, let's arm you with a shield against their tricks. Be aware of:  

  • If a room looks very nice and luxurious but the price is unbelievably low, be skeptical. Scammers often use tempting offers to lure victims. 
  • If a room has little to no photos and no detailed information about the property, it could be a scam. 
  • If you find yourself in a situation where someone's peddling a room on behalf of a mysterious globetrotter, and you've never even exchanged a digital "hello" with this phantom figure, you might just be dealing with a ghost in disguise! 
  • If they deny you an (online) viewing but require a big payment up front. 
  • If they have a suspicious-looking Facebook profile, check the profile; how long has the profile been created; how many friends do they have; and do they have prior rental history? 
  • If they ask for personal information upfront, we do not recommend you sharing your personal documents before signing anything on paper; they have no right to ask you! 

In addition, you can check if someone is the rightful owner of the property at the given address through the Kadaster website.

Following some additional nuggets of wisdom to keep your housing hunt on track. When sealing the deal, don't shy away from asking about the hidden things in the price tag (sometimes for example utilities are not included), and be a detective for any lurking extra fees.But wait, there's more! Depending on your house-hunting journey, brace yourself for the possibility of shelling out a deposit and an upfront cost in the first month of the contract. Stay savvy! 

Here's the golden rule: be grounded in reality, keep your spirits high, and tread with caution(and a little financial cushion of at least 1500 euros won't hurt when Breda's calling your name). Let me tell you a secret: patience is your trusty sidekick on this quest for the perfect place to call home. So, if at first you don't succeed, don't wave the white flag! The dream home is out there, just waiting to welcome you with open arms. Keep the faith! 

Interested in the Uni Life Unlocked series, then check out our previous episode below: