International student pays more for the same room

Last year, LSVb received 525 complaints from international students via the Housing Hotline, a service foreign students can use to report housing-related problems to the union. The most common complaints are about exclusion and higher costs in comparison to Dutch students.

Higher rents
The union's findings echo the National Student Housing Monitor, published in September by the knowledge centre Kences. The report confirms that international students pay more rent per square metre than Dutch students. Foreign students spend between 70 and 85 euros more for a room.

Image: courtesy of HOP. Source: LMS 2022

Last year, 75 percent of the complaints received by LSVb came from students who struggled to find housing. Others reported problems with their contracts, service charges, energy costs and so on. A few struggled with scammers.

The higher prices show that discrimination against international students is a structural problem in the Netherlands, according to the student union. A likely explanation is that international students are not welcome everywhere, leaving them no choice but to look for more expensive housing.

Clear information
One of LSVb’s conclusions is that educational institutions and municipalities need to inform students properly. Issues regarding security deposits, service charges and energy costs in particular require clear information, according to the union. This would at least ensure that international students are better equipped to navigate the Dutch housing market.

Total rent paid by students in the Netherlands. Image: courtesy of HOP. Source: LMS 2022