Apartments for rent in Haarlemmermeer
Renting an apartment in Haarlemmermeer means searching in a tight market with little affordable supply. Here you will find practical tips and neighbourhood information.
Renting an apartment in Haarlemmermeer: what you need to know beforehand
Haarlemmermeer is not a compact city centre but a municipality consisting of dozens of cores, with Hoofddorp as the clear centre. This makes renting an apartment here different from in a regular city: the supply is spread out, the atmosphere per core varies enormously, and your choice of neighbourhood also determines how dependent you are on the car or the train. For current numbers and prices, look at the overview at the top of this page.
Apartments in Haarlemmermeer are predominantly in the higher rental segment. This has to do with the proximity of Schiphol, the international workers who live here, and new-build projects that have been completed in recent years. Those looking for an affordable apartment need patience and a good strategy.
What characterises the apartment market here
The supply consists of a mix of 1990s flats, new-build apartments around Hoofddorp centre and smaller porch flats in the outer cores. New-build dominates the higher price range. Older apartments are sometimes in the free sector but are scarce and are rented out quickly.
The municipality attracts many expats and dual-income couples who want to live close to Schiphol. This further reduces supply in the affordable segment. Those who are flexible on location (i.e. not necessarily Hoofddorp centre) have a better chance. View all rental properties in Haarlemmermeer for a current picture of what is available now.
Prefer buying to renting? Also see the overview of buying apartments in Haarlemmermeer for comparison.
Practical tips for those who want to respond quickly
- Respond within the hour. Popular apartments in Hoofddorp and Nieuw-Vennep are sometimes gone within a day. Don't wait until the weekend.
- Turn on push notifications via the Buurtje.nl app. The app is free and sends you a notification as soon as new supply appears. Available in the App Store and on Google Play.
- Check the floor area carefully. Banks and some landlords look critically at apartments under 40 m². This can affect financing or deposit calculations, also in the rental sector with agencies that calculate based on mortgage value.
- Ask about service costs. In new-build complexes, VvE contributions and service costs can add up significantly. These are not always included in the bare rent you see advertised.
- Check the rental agreement for temporariness. Temporary rental contracts (maximum two years for independent living space) are common in this market. After expiry, you have no right to extension unless agreed.
- Ask about the energy index. Older apartments in outer cores sometimes have a low energy label. This adds to your monthly costs, especially in a poorly insulated flat.
- Take parking costs into account. In Hoofddorp centre, parking at new-build is often paid separately, up to a hundred euros per month extra.
Which cores are suitable for whom
Haarlemmermeer has many cores, each with its own character. Below are the most relevant for apartment seekers, with resident ratings from residents themselves.
- Vijfhuizen (8.5/10): quiet village among the bulb fields. Few apartments, but those who find something there live contentedly. Suitable for those seeking peace and who have a car.
- Hoofddorp (8.0/10): the centre of the municipality, with the most amenities, train station and the largest supply of apartments. Most in demand, so also rented out fastest.
- Nieuw-Vennep (7.5/10): larger core in the south, with its own shopping centre. Slightly less busy than Hoofddorp, more chance of available supply.
- Zwanenburg (6.1/10): bordering Amsterdam, with fast connections to the city. Lower resident satisfaction, but strategically located for commuters.
More neighbourhood data, reviews and liveability scores can be found on the overview page of Haarlemmermeer.
Amsterdam as an alternative or supplement
Those who find nothing in Haarlemmermeer logically look at Amsterdam. The connections are good (A9, A4, train, metro towards Schiphol), and the supply is larger. However, the price level in Amsterdam is generally even higher. View the supply of apartments for rent in Amsterdam as a supplement to your search.
Combine your search area: set alerts for both municipalities simultaneously, so you don't miss any supply on either side of the municipal boundary.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to rent an apartment in Haarlemmermeer?
Apartments in Haarlemmermeer are predominantly in the higher rental segment. Specific prices change quickly; check the current overview at the top of this page for the most recent rental prices. Also take into account service costs and any parking costs that come on top of the base rent.
How do I quickly find an apartment in Haarlemmermeer?
Responding quickly is essential. Install the free Buurtje.nl app and turn on push notifications: you will receive an immediate alert as soon as new listings appear. The app is free to download via the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). This way you will be ahead of people who only search manually.
What should I look out for with a temporary rental contract?
Temporary rental contracts for self-contained living space are valid for a maximum of two years. After that, you have no automatic right to extension, unless this is agreed in writing. Also check whether the contract contains a diplomatic clause and what the notice period is. Don't be caught off guard by a sudden end to the rental period.
Which neighbourhood in Haarlemmermeer is most popular among renters?
Hoofddorp (resident score 8.0/10) has the most amenities, a train station and the largest supply of apartments. As a result, it is also the most in demand. Vijfhuizen scores the highest (8.5/10) but has few apartments. Nieuw-Vennep (7.5/10) is a good alternative if you have a bit more time.
Is Haarlemmermeer suitable for expats looking for an apartment?
Yes, the municipality attracts many international workers due to its proximity to Schiphol. There are relatively many free-sector apartments and landlords are used to expats. However, note that demand is high and supply is limited. English-language rental contracts are possible but not standard; ask for them explicitly during viewings.
It's quite quiet and damp. It's also very cosy, children enjoy playing with each other.
Auto-translated to English by AIFortunately, everything is reasonably close by, such as Haarlem, Hoofddorp.
Auto-translated to English by AIIt's lovely living here, you know the neighbours, contact, and close to a small park, shops, and a retirement home. Pleasant, 10 minutes' walk to a recreational lake.
Auto-translated to English by AIWe have reasonable contact with each other, but if you don't have family in the neighbourhood, you could lie dead in your house for a month; it's still every man for himself. For hygiene, the streets are not cleaned, the street is uneven, you have to watch where you walk. For housing, more maintenance is needed; my house is damp, my kitchen lock is broken, the skylight hasn't been fixed properly, and I'm heating like crazy to keep warm, and it's only November.
Auto-translated to English by AIUnaffordable houses are being built, facilities lag behind. Refuse trucks are always on time but the bins and waste containers are not emptied often, resulting in mess on and along the roads and pavements. One road leading to Bloemenbuurt that is full of rubbish due to new construction and through traffic. Too many Moroccan people. Good schools though.
Auto-translated to English by AINice surroundings, quiet, convenient location relative to the A44 (though there are various road closures and diversions until 2030 due to bridge replacements). There are no shops, but a mobile shop comes three times a week for last-minute groceries, otherwise you drive to Sassenheim, Lisse or Nieuw-Vennep. Things are regularly organised in both De Buitenkaag and De Kaag, and thanks to that I've already met several villagers, which makes living here pleasant. A local newspaper appears a few times a year with all sorts of useful information and articles about the villages, residents and/or activities. Very handy!
Auto-translated to English by AII came to live at Oostmoor 22 when it was new. At first, very good contact with the fellow residents. Now partly - owner-occupied homes - the contact hasn't improved. Everyone lives in their own bubble, also caused by both partners working. People have no time for others. I myself make frequent use of the neighbourhood centre Linguenda, for a cup of coffee and a meal twice a month. Organised by volunteers. Even though the neighbourhood centre is centrally located in the area, it is still unknown to many. I also go to the meeting centre and C PUNT, to meet others and the belote club. For many elderly people, using a PC or laptop is somewhat complicated, and they therefore miss out on some information. I also use the supermarket for communication; you always run into someone you haven't seen in a while. Ludwig Fauser. optionally phone number 0640391865.
Auto-translated to English by AIIn the middle of shopping facilities. Spacious and quiet. However, the municipality could remove weeds more often.
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