Rental homes in Leiden
Looking for a rental property in Leiden? Check out the current listings below, compare neighbourhoods based on resident reviews and find the area that suits you.
Renting a home in Leiden: a city where demand outstrips supply
Leiden is a pronounced rental city. As many as 59% of the more than 62,500 homes are rental properties, which is not unusual for a city with a large university, the LUMC and tens of thousands of students and young professionals. Of those rental homes, 32% belong to housing corporations (think Ons Doel and De Sleutels), while 26% are owned by other landlords. This means there is both a substantial social housing sector and an active private sector. In the private sector, the average rent over the past twelve months was €1,751 per month, with a range of €425 to €5,950. The average rental home in the private sector offers around 88 m² of living space. These are real figures, excluding social housing and room rentals. At the top of this page you will always find the current daily price and the current supply.
With an average income of €38,300 and a highly educated population (48% have a higher professional or university degree), competition for private sector homes is fierce. The labour participation rate is 64%, which is relatively low due to the large number of students. Renting in Leiden is therefore not cheap, but in return the city offers a compact, lively environment with short connections to The Hague, Amsterdam and Schiphol. Leiden Central Station is an important hub and residents rate its accessibility at 8.2.
From canal to green strip: Leiden's neighbourhoods compared
Leiden is compact, but the neighbourhoods differ considerably in atmosphere, price level and type of resident. Residents of Leiden give the city an average of 7.5 based on 38 reviews. Below are the main areas to consider if you are thinking of renting a home in Leiden.
Binnenstad-Noord, the beating heart with character
Binnenstad-Noord is where you will find Leiden's canals, the Hortus and the university buildings. Residents rate this neighbourhood a 7.6 on Buurtje.nl. It is a neighbourhood for people who love city life: pubs, restaurants, shops and markets are within walking distance. The downside? Apartments here are often small and rents are on the high side. One resident writes that you "have to get used to the noise on Friday and Saturday nights", but that the atmosphere more than makes up for it. For those looking for an apartment to rent in Leiden in a vibrant environment, this is the logical place.
Merenwijkdistrict, space and peace on the north side
The Merenwijkdistrict scores the highest neighbourhood score of all Leiden neighbourhoods with an 8.2. This is a green, spacious neighbourhood with many single-family homes, popular with families and dual-income couples. You are close to the Kagerplassen lakes and Merenwijk has its own shopping centre for daily groceries. It is quieter than the city centre, but you can cycle to the station in ten minutes.
Roodenburgerdistrict, the quiet favourite
The Roodenburgerdistrict receives a 7.6 from residents and with 7 reviews is one of the best-rated neighbourhoods. Here you will find a mix of pre-war buildings and newer apartments, close to the Leiden Bio Science Park and the LUMC. This makes it attractive for healthcare professionals and researchers. The neighbourhood feels like a village in the city, with small shops along the Roodenburgerstraat.
The Bos- en Gasthuisdistrict (7.4 from residents, 10 reviews) is a versatile neighbourhood around the Leidse Volksbos. Many students and young families live here side by side. Rents here are slightly more affordable than in the city centre, but its popularity is growing. In the Morsdistrict (7.3) you will find a multicultural neighbourhood with its own dynamic, close to Leiden Central Station. The neighbourhood is developing and is attracting more and more starters.
On the west side lies the Stevenshofdistrict (6.8), a new-build neighbourhood from the 1990s. Here you get more square metres for your money, but residents say it is less lively. Leiden-Noord (7.1) is a mixed neighbourhood with social housing and owner-occupied homes, where the municipality is actively investing in renewal. For those who want the city centre but need a bit more space, Binnenstad-Zuid (7.8) is an interesting alternative: close to the Plantsoen and the Witte Singel, with a slightly quieter atmosphere than the northern part. View all resident reviews and neighbourhood information about Leiden to get a good picture.
Who is renting in Leiden suitable for, and who is it not?
Leiden attracts a specific audience. The largest age group is 25 to 45 years (almost 40,000 residents), and 41,683 households are single-person. That says a lot: this is a city for students, PhD candidates, young professionals and expats working at the university, LUMC or the Bio Science Park. If you are a starter looking for an affordable rental home, registering with housing corporations such as De Sleutels or Ons Doel via the municipality of Leiden is essential, as waiting times can run up to several years.
In the private sector, you need to act quickly. Make sure you have your proof of income, employer's statement and identity document ready before you go viewings. Respond on the same day, because popular rental homes in Leiden can be gone within a week. If you are looking for more space or want to build equity, then buying a home in Leiden is worth considering, although the average WOZ value is €390,000. Be honest with yourself: if you are looking for a spacious rental home under €1,200 in the private sector, it will be difficult in Leiden. In that case, you could also look at surrounding municipalities.
Searching for a rental home in and around Leiden
On Buurtje.nl you combine the current rental supply with neighbourhood scores and real resident reviews, so you not only find a home but also the right neighbourhood. Want to broaden your search area? Then also check the supply in Alphen aan den Rijn, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk or Barendrecht. More about the region can be found on the page of Zuid-Holland.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Leiden?
The average rent in the free sector in Leiden over the past 12 months was €1,751 per month, with an average floor area of 88 m². The range runs from €425 to €5,950. This excludes social housing and room rentals.
Which neighbourhoods in Leiden are the most popular for renting?
The Merenwijk district scores highest among residents with an 8.2 out of 10. Binnenstad-Zuid (7.8), Boerhaavedistrict (7.6) and Roodenburgerdistrict (7.6) follow. The city centre is popular with young people, while families more often choose the Merenwijk or Stevenshof.
How quickly are rental properties in Leiden rented out?
Rental properties in the free sector in Leiden often go off the market quickly, especially apartments in the city centre and around the Bio Science Park. Make sure you have documents such as proof of income and employer's statement ready in advance. At the top of the page you can see the current average time to rent.
What is the difference between social housing and the free sector in Leiden?
In Leiden, 32% of homes are owned by housing corporations (social housing), with rents below the liberalisation threshold. For this you need a housing permit and often years of registration. The free sector (26% of the stock) is freely accessible but more expensive, with an average of €1,751 per month.
Is Leiden suitable for expats looking to rent a home?
Yes, Leiden attracts many international workers due to the university, the LUMC and the Bio Science Park. Accessibility scores an 8.2 among residents and Schiphol is within 20 minutes by train. Keep in mind that to rent a home in Leiden you often need a Dutch proof of income or employer's statement.
How safe is it to live in Leiden?
Residents rate safety in Leiden at 7.7 out of 10. The city centre can be a bit busier on nights out, but overall residents feel safe. Neighbourhoods such as the Merenwijk district and Binnenstad-Zuid score above average.
Can I find an affordable rental home in Leiden?
In the free sector, an affordable rental home in Leiden is hard to find: the average price is €1,751. For cheaper options you can register with housing corporations, but waiting times are long. Alternatives are surrounding municipalities such as Alphen aan den Rijn or Bodegraven-Reeuwijk.
How is education in Leiden?
Residents rate education in Leiden at 8.0 out of 10. The city has a wide range of primary and secondary schools, plus Leiden University and a university of applied sciences. For families with children, neighbourhoods such as the Merenwijk district and Roodenburgerdistrict are popular due to the proximity of schools.
Living here is fantastic. Beautiful, spacious and affordable apartment with 90m2 floor area. Indoor route to the supermarket. GP and the usual shops like Etos, Kruidvat, Bruna, Hema on the nearby square. Bus lines and main roads within 5 minutes. Also enough schools at every level. In short, "a place to be".
Auto-translated to English by AII enjoy living here.
Auto-translated to English by AICosy flat with many elderly residents. A nice dog walking area that I look out onto. Also a beautiful park. However, too few shops, so little choice unfortunately. Only the park is not lit and there are regularly homeless people who also sleep in the bushes! The park is well maintained though. In short, I am very satisfied with the neighbourhood.
Auto-translated to English by AIIt is a rather detached part of Leiden, with a strange mix of student complexes and houses. A lot of noise nuisance.
Auto-translated to English by AICosy, everyone chats with each other on the street. We are kept well informed about what is happening in the neighbourhood via a newsletter. And then an information evening is held. In the playground, the neighbourhood police officer could patrol the area more often.
Auto-translated to English by AIThey keep an eye on each other. Everyone has a chat every now and then. More and more young families with children are moving in, so there's a bit more going on. Children playing, nice for the elderly who no longer work but are at home or alone.
Auto-translated to English by AIPolice often around. On the grass field where children play, dogs are often walked and the owners leave the dog poop lying around.
Auto-translated to English by AII don't really have an experience but there are many nice people
Auto-translated to English by AI
