First Phrases

Renting a flat · Nederlands

Renting a flat in Dutch: 12 survival phrases

Ask about the rent, the bills, the deposit and the contract, arrange a viewing, and ask who to call when something breaks.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). "U" is the safe choice with agents and landlords. "Huur" = rent, "borg" = deposit, "servicekosten" = service charges, "huurcontract" = lease. To register at your address with the gemeente (BRP) you may need the landlord's permission.

How to read the sounds: g and ch are a rough throat sound, written kh (like Scottish 'loch'), stronger than English h. ou/ui = 'ow'; ij/ei = 'ay' (as in 'say'); eu = a rounded 'uh' (like French 'peu'); uu = 'ew' (say 'ee' with rounded lips); oe = 'oo'. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: huur, borg, servicekosten, huurcontract, BRP. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Ik zoek een huurwoning.
    Say it like: ik zook ayn HEWR-voh-ning
    I'm looking for a place to rent.
    Register: Neutral.
  2. 02Neutral
    Is het appartement nog beschikbaar?
    Say it like: is uht ah-par-tuh-MENT nokh buh-SKHIK-bahr
    Is the flat still available?
    Register: Neutral.
  3. 03Neutral
    Hoeveel is de huur per maand?
    Say it like: hoo-FAYL is duh hewr per mahnt
    How much is the rent per month?
    Register: Neutral.
  4. 04Neutral
    Zijn gas, water en licht inbegrepen?
    Say it like: zine khas, WAH-ter en likht IN-buh-khruh-puh
    Are gas, water and electricity included?
    Register: Ask about "servicekosten" too.
  5. 05Neutral
    Hoe hoog is de borg?
    Say it like: hoo hohkh is duh bork
    How much is the deposit?
    Register: Neutral.
  6. 06Neutral
    Hoe lang loopt het huurcontract?
    Say it like: hoo lang lohpt uht HEWR-kon-trakt
    How long does the lease run?
    Register: Neutral.
  7. 07Neutral
    Kan ik het appartement bekijken? Wanneer kan dat?
    Say it like: kan ik uht ah-par-tuh-MENT buh-KAY-kuh? VAH-neer kan dat
    Can I view the flat? When is that possible?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Neutral
    Is het gemeubileerd?
    Say it like: is uht khuh-muh-bee-LAYRT
    Is it furnished?
    Register: "Gestoffeerd" means only floors and curtains.
  9. 09Neutral
    Zijn huisdieren toegestaan?
    Say it like: zine HOWS-dee-ruh too-khuh-STAHN
    Are pets allowed?
    Register: Neutral.
  10. 10Neutral
    Kan ik me op dit adres inschrijven bij de gemeente?
    Say it like: kan ik muh op dit ah-DRES IN-skhry-vuh bay duh khuh-MAYN-tuh
    Can I register at this address with the municipality?
    Register: Needed for your BSN and many services.
  11. 11Neutral
    Kan ik een kopie van het huurcontract krijgen?
    Say it like: kan ik ayn KOH-pee van uht HEWR-kon-trakt KRAY-khuh
    Can I get a copy of the lease?
    Register: Neutral.
  12. 12Neutral
    Wie moet ik bellen als er iets kapot gaat?
    Say it like: vee moot ik BEL-luh als er eets kah-POT khaht
    Who do I call if something breaks?
    Register: Neutral.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start when renting a flat in Dutch?

Start with: "Ik zoek een huurwoning." (I'm looking for a place to rent.)

Should I use informal or formal Dutch when renting a flat?

"U" is the safe choice with agents and landlords. "Huur" = rent, "borg" = deposit, "servicekosten" = service charges, "huurcontract" = lease. To register at your address with the gemeente (BRP) you may need the landlord's permission.

How do I ask how much the rent is in Dutch?

Try: "Hoeveel is de huur per maand?" (How much is the rent per month?)

Same errand, another language

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Dutch, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat

All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/rent/nl/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint