Apartments for rent in Groningen

Groningen rents more than it buys

Anyone looking for an apartment in Groningen quickly notices that the city has traditionally been a rental city. The supply is broad in type but tight in availability. Students, young professionals, expats and people who want flexible living all compete in the same market. Renting an apartment in Groningen therefore requires speed and preparation, not waiting around.

The supply ranges from compact studios in the centre to more spacious upper-floor flats in the quieter suburbs. The mid-range segment is the most strongly represented. See the current supply and price range in the overview at the top of this page.

What you as a tenant need to arrange concretely

• Respond within hours, not days. Popular apartments in Groningen can be gone within a day. Set up search alerts so you are notified first.
• Put the Buurtje.nl app on your phone. The app is free and sends you a push notification as soon as new supply appears that matches your search. Available via the App Store and Google Play.
• Prepare your documents. Landlords typically ask for: recent payslips (usually three months), an employer's statement and sometimes an extract from the BRP. Make sure you have these ready as PDFs.
• Watch out for service costs. For apartments in a complex, you pay service costs on top of the base rent for, for example, the lift, cleaning of communal areas and sometimes heating. Always ask for a breakdown. The landlord is legally obliged to provide one.
• Check the surface area carefully. Banks and some landlords use a threshold around 40m². Below that threshold, it can be more difficult to get a mortgage later if you want to buy, and some landlords impose additional requirements on the tenant.
• Ask about the energy performance. A poor energy label means higher heating costs. In older Groningen buildings (especially in the city centre) this is a real point of attention.
• Rent price check for social housing. If the property falls in the regulated segment, you can have the rent assessed via the Rent Tribunal if you think it is too high relative to the points system.

What determines the price level of renting an apartment

Groningen is in the mid-range when compared to the major cities in the Randstad, but that does not mean it is cheap. Factors that drive up the rent:

• Location relative to the centre and the university.
• Presence of a balcony, garden or parking space.
• Energy label (A or B commands a higher rent, but saves on heating costs).
• Furnished or upholstered supply is structurally more expensive than unfurnished rental.
• New-build complexes command a premium over comparable older construction.

For a current picture of the price range in the city: see the overview at the top of this page. Considering buying instead of renting? Then also check buying apartments in Groningen for comparison.

Neighbourhoods that tenants consider for apartments

Not every neighbourhood in Groningen is equally suitable for every type of tenant. Below is a selection based on resident ratings and character. More neighbourhood data and reviews can be found on the municipality overview page of Groningen.

• Meerdorpen (9.5/10). Highest-scoring neighbourhood in the municipality. Quiet, green, strong sense of community. Suitable for those who consciously choose distance from the hustle and bustle of the centre.
• Haren-West e.o. (8.8/10). Green surroundings, good connections to the city. Popular with families and professionals seeking peace but not wanting to be too far away.
• Helpman e.o. (7.9/10). Quiet residential area south of the centre. Relatively many apartments in older construction, good cycling connection to the city centre and hospitals.
• Oud-West (7.9/10). Urban character, close to amenities. Attractive for tenants seeking the vibrancy of the city without being in the busiest core area.
• Meerstad e.o. (8.0/10). Newer residential area on the east side of the city, with water and greenery as distinguishing factors. The supply partly consists of more recent apartments.

Want to search outside the municipality? There is also supply in the region. Check, for example, rental properties in Oldambt if you are willing to live a bit further away and want more space for the same or lower price level.

Groningen as a rental market: what you need to know if you are new

Groningen has a large student population, which makes the market for smaller apartments extra tight around the summer months (August and September). If you are not a student but are looking for a compact apartment to rent, you compete directly with first-time buyers on the housing market and international students during that season.

Expats and foreign workers employed by companies in the region often look for furnished apartments. That segment is limited in supply and relatively expensive. Unfurnished or bare rental is more widely available.

Parking is a separate issue in the city centre and adjacent neighbourhoods. Many apartments do not have their own parking space. Always ask about parking rules on the street and the cost of a parking permit during viewings.

For a complete overview of all rental properties in Groningen, see the current list at the top of this page. Apartments Groningen is a competitive market. Preparation makes the difference.