How to rent out your property to expats in Amsterdam

Have a house, apartment or studio you want to let to an expat, whether for a fixed period or for the long term? Letting a property is a process, and every step has its own points that need attention. This guide walks through each one. Balatin can support you through the whole process: our rental team takes the work off your hands and makes sure everything is handled correctly, including the legal side, so you are not faced with unwanted surprises later.

How much can I rent out my property for in Amsterdam?

This is the question we hear most often, and it is a fair one. There is no quick answer. The rent depends largely on the property's location and size, and on what the housing market is doing. Other factors weigh in too: the condition of the property, the state of the kitchen and bathroom, the size and position of any outdoor space, and the number of bedrooms. Insulation and sustainability matter more and more in setting a market rent. It also depends on whether you offer the home upholstered or furnished.

One thing to keep in mind: under the home valuation system, some properties may only be let at a regulated rent. Until recently this applied only to social housing. As of 1 July 2024, rents in the so-called mid-rental segment also fall under the regulated part of the market through the Affordable Rent Act. Want the detail? Read Property rental: new rules 2024.

Because so many factors are involved, we can only give an indication of the possible rent after we have visited the property in person for an intake interview. That visit is free and comes with no obligation.

Types of contracts for letting your property

We work with several rental contracts, and the right one depends heavily on your situation. Do you want to let the home long-term to an expat, with no plan to use it yourself again? Or do you have a set period when you will not be in your Amsterdam property and want to move back in afterwards? You might also want to keep the option of using the home later without being sure if or when.

Each contract offers a different balance of security and flexibility. Letting through temporary rental contracts has been heavily restricted since 1 July 2024, so we will explain where things stand during the intake interview and choose the contract that fits your situation. For more on the options, read What is the best rental contract for my property?

Offering your home for rent

When you are looking for the right tenant, how you present the home makes a real difference. We arrange professional photos and a clear, attractive presentation of the property, in writing and in person. We then advertise it through Balatin's own channels and through our network and partners, including the major rental platforms used across Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

Which expat do I rent my home to?

Selecting and screening tenants is one of the most important steps, and we give it a lot of attention. We discuss the tenant profile you want during the intake interview. Do you prefer a single person or a couple? Would you be comfortable with two working professionals sharing? Do you want to let only to an expat, or is a Dutch resident also fine? Whether pets are allowed is part of this conversation too. Our network includes relocation specialists who help expats find homes, and they are often a good source of candidates that match higher-quality properties.

Showing your property to candidates

We arrange viewings with carefully selected candidates. Where possible we run a combined viewing: a one-hour slot in which several candidates see the home. If there is a current tenant in the property, we coordinate the viewing with them. We assess each candidate's suitability during the viewing and try to speak with everyone in person to get a clearer impression.

Selecting the right tenant

After the first viewing, several people are often interested. We collect the documents and contracts from candidates, run a background check, and assess each candidate's creditworthiness and financial stability. We advise you on the candidates, but the final decision on who you let to is always yours.

Starting the tenancy

Once the paperwork is done and a start date is agreed, we make sure the deposit and the first rental period are paid before we hand over the keys. We then carry out a thorough check-in: the state and condition of the property is documented clearly, in writing and in images, in a record signed by both tenant and landlord. When the tenant leaves, that record is the reference point. We handle the check-out as well. If the check-out shows damage, it can be deducted from the deposit. In every case, we advise you on how the deposit is settled.

What about property management?

When you let your home, the contract also sets out who is responsible for managing the property during the tenancy. There are three kinds of management: financial, administrative and technical. Balatin offers property management for your house, apartment or studio, with options to suit different needs.

What else should I take into account?

Beyond the rental process itself, there are rules and regulations to follow when you let a home in Amsterdam to an expat. Some protect tenants, others govern rents and rent increases. There are also requirements for every property, such as smoke detectors and an energy label. You can read about these in Rules and regulations for renting out your home to expats.

Letting a property well comes down to the details: the right rent, the right contract, the right tenant and a clean record of the property's condition. If you would rather not manage all of that yourself, Balatin can. Schedule a free intake interview or list your property to get started.