Long-term housing rental
In short
- For homes, apartments and rooms different rules apply than for other items.
- Huurmarkt only connects — no rental contracts, no payments through the platform.
- Long-term housing is free: for the owner as well as for the home seeker.
- Owner must provide proof of ownership.
- Never make a payment before you have physically viewed the property.
Which categories does this apply to?
This different flow applies to:
- Houses & family homes — detached homes, terraced houses, apartments, etc.
- Apartments & flats — studios, lofts, units, penthouses
- Rooms & shared living spaces — student rooms, host-family rooms, shared floors
For holiday homes and short stays (Airbnb-style), the standard rental flow applies.
Why does long-term housing work differently?
Long-term housing rental in the Netherlands is heavily regulated by laws around:
- Rental contracts and tenant protection
- Deposits and rent levels
- Income checks
- Registration and BSN
Therefore Huurmarkt only mediates between owner and prospective tenant. We:
- Don't sign rental contracts
- Don't process rent or deposits through the platform
- Don't act as a party in the legal rental relationship
The full rental process happens directly between owner and tenant.
What does it cost?
| Who | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Publishing a home | Free |
| Home seeker | Searching, viewing, contacting, responding | Free |
For the home seeker, Huurmarkt is free. Searching, viewing a property, contacting the owner and responding to a listing cost you nothing. Not as a registration fee, agency fee, contract fee, administration fee, or under any other name.
For the owner too. Publishing a home costs nothing. During the MVP all responses arrive in the owner's Huurmarkt inbox.
No publishing fee, no subscriptions, no hidden fees. For long-term rentals no money runs through Huurmarkt at all: rent, deposit and service charges are settled directly between owner and tenant.
What must a housing listing include?
Basic information
- Title
- Property type (apartment / house / room)
- Size (m²)
- Number of rooms
- Furnished / unfurnished
- Location — area + map, no exact address
Price & conditions
- Monthly rent
- Included / excluded costs (utilities, internet, etc.)
- Deposit amount
- Available from (date)
- Minimum and maximum rental period
- Minimum required income
- Contract type (temporary / indefinite)
Description & rules
- Short description of the property
- Key rules:
- Smoking allowed or not
- Pets allowed or not
- Suitable for (students, professionals, etc.)
Action
- "Respond to listing" button
Required verification for owners
Anyone listing a property must upload proof of ownership. Acceptable documents:
- Title deed
- Purchase contract
- Mortgage document
- Or another official document showing ownership
This document is:
- Used only for verification
- Never shown publicly
- Not visible to renters
Without proof of ownership you cannot publish a housing listing. This prevents fake listings.
Safety rules for renters
Never pay before viewing. This is the golden rule.
If an owner asks you to:
- Transfer deposit or rent before you've seen the property
- Send money via WhatsApp, Tikkie or another direct route
- Share personal documents outside the platform
→ Stop the contact and report the listing via Support.
These are classic signs of housing fraud.
How does the process work?
- Search a listing — find a property that fits.
- Respond — via the "Respond to listing" button. Free of charge.
- Wait for a reply — the owner receives your message in their Huurmarkt inbox.
- Continue communicating — conversations stay on the platform chat.
- Schedule a viewing — always physically or via video call.
- Rental process outside Huurmarkt — contract, screening, payment and key handover are arranged between you and the owner, off-platform.
Huurmarkt remains involved in the early phase for communication, but does not engage in the rest of the process.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sign a rental contract through Huurmarkt?
No. Huurmarkt does not provide contract services for long-term housing. You arrange this with the owner, optionally with a notary or lawyer.
Is my payment protected?
No — there is no payment via Huurmarkt for long-term rental. Your payments go directly between you and the owner. So: never pay before viewing.
What does it cost me to respond?
Nothing. Responding to a housing listing is free, just like searching, viewing a property and contacting the owner. And the owner pays nothing to publish a home either.
Can I view a property before responding?
First you respond via the listing. Then you arrange a viewing together.
What if the owner can't show proof of ownership?
The listing cannot be published. Doubt about an existing listing? Report it via Support.
Important
- Never pay before viewing. Period.
- Keep all communication in the Huurmarkt chat — your own evidence trail.
- Do not share copies of your passport, BSN or bank details via chat.
- Report suspicious behaviour to Support immediately.
- Huurmarkt is not a party to the rental contract.
See also
- How to book an item (for other categories)
- List an item
- Identity verification
- Platform misuse
See also
Didn't find what you were looking for?
We're happy to help. You'll get a reply to your email within one to two business days.