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A rental advertisement in the Netherlands is the first point of contact with a property, requiring a cautious approach to avoid scams and misleading information.
Proof of Legal Right to Rent
For any prospective tenant who is not a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, providing a copy of their valid Dutch residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) is a non-negotiable part of the application process. A landlord has a legal obligation to ensure they are not renting to someone residing in the country illegally. The residence permit serves as the official proof that the individual has the right to live, and by extension, to rent a home in the Netherlands. The landlord will check the permit's validity and, crucially, its expiration date to ensure it covers the proposed term of the lease.
Another Layer of Scrutiny and Bias
While a necessary check, the residence permit adds another layer of scrutiny and potential bias that EU citizens do not face. The nature of the permit can influence a landlord's decision. For example, a permit tied to a specific employer (such as a 'Highly Skilled Migrant' permit) might be viewed as less stable than a permanent or long-term residence permit. A landlord might worry that if the tenant loses their job, they will also lose their right to reside in the country, potentially breaking the lease. Similarly, a permit with a validity of only one or two years might make a landlord hesitant to offer a long-term contract. This creates a situation where the tenant's immigration status, which has no bearing on their ability to be a good tenant, becomes a factor in the selection process. As with a passport, tenants should always redact their BSN and other non-essential numbers from the copy before submitting it to protect their personal data.
