Rooms for rent in Groningen

Groningen is a student city, but not just for students

With the University of Groningen and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the city, a large part of the room supply in Groningen has traditionally been aimed at students. But the market is broader than that. Young professionals, first-time buyers and people temporarily staying in the city are also looking to rent a room in Groningen as an intermediate step. The supply is relatively affordable compared to the Randstad, but competition is fierce. Especially around the start of the new academic year, the pressure on the market is noticeable. Check the current supply and the most recent numbers via the overview at the top of this page.

Rooms in Groningen come in all shapes and sizes: independent or non-independent, in a student house, a former flat or a small studio. The difference between these types has major consequences for your rights as a tenant. You will find out more about this further down this page.

What you need to know before you respond

The room market in Groningen requires speed and preparation. A few concrete points that make the difference:

• Respond within hours, not days. Popular rooms in central neighbourhoods can sometimes be gone before you open them the next morning.
• Install the Buurtje.nl app on your phone. The app is free and sends push notifications as soon as new supply appears that matches your search. Available via the App Store and Google Play.
• Check whether the room is independent or non-independent. For a non-independent room (shared toilet, kitchen or bathroom), different rent price rules apply and you have less tenant protection. This is stated in your contract, not always in the advertisement.
• Ask about registration with the municipality. Some landlords do not allow GBA registration. This can cause problems with benefits, health insurance and future housing search registration.
• Pay attention to the service costs. In the room market, costs for internet, gas or cleaning are often charged separately. Always ask about the total monthly cost, not just the bare rent.
• Visit the house, not just the room. In a shared house, the housemates and the condition of the communal areas determine your living comfort just as much as the room itself.
• Look at the energy performance. Older buildings in Groningen sometimes have a low energy label. This directly translates into higher heating costs, especially in winter.

What determines the rent price of a room

Groningen is one of the more affordable segments of the Dutch room market. Yet prices vary widely. Factors that push the rent up or down:

• Independent versus non-independent. A room with its own bathroom and cooking facilities costs structurally more than a room in a shared house.
• Location. Neighbourhoods close to the centre or university buildings are popular and therefore more expensive. Outlying neighbourhoods offer more space for a lower price.
• Furnishing. Furnished rooms are often offered at a higher price. Check whether the price is proportionate to what is actually in it.
• Size. Banks and mortgage lenders look strictly at rooms under 40 m² in case of a later purchase, but as a tenant, size is mainly a matter of comfort and price per square metre.

For current price ratios and the current supply: see the overview at the top of this page. Also considering buying? Then check rooms for sale in Groningen.

Neighbourhoods worth a look

Groningen has neighbourhoods with very different characters. Below is a selection based on resident ratings, with a brief description:

• Meerdorpen (9.5/10): quiet, village-like character on the edge of the municipality. Less student atmosphere, more peace.
• Haren-West e.o. (8.8/10): green and quiet, easily accessible by bike towards the centre. Popular with professionals.
• Helpman e.o. (7.9/10): one of the more sought-after residential areas just outside the ring road, with a mix of students and families. Good amenities within walking distance.
• Oud-West (7.9/10): close to the centre, lively neighbourhood with many student houses. Typical Groningen atmosphere.
• Zuidoost (7.9/10): slightly quieter than the centre, but with good connections. Rooms here are sometimes less quickly gone than in more popular neighbourhoods.

More neighbourhood data and resident reviews can be found on the overview page of Groningen.

Didn't find what you're looking for? Also look outside the city

If the supply in Groningen is disappointing, it pays to widen the search radius. Municipalities such as Oldambt are within reasonable distance and have a less tense market. Check the rental property supply in Oldambt as an alternative. For a complete overview of all rental properties in Groningen you can also filter by type and neighbourhood.