Apartments for rent in Rotterdam

Rotterdam rents more than it buys

Rotterdam has traditionally been a city where renting is the norm, not the exception. This is reflected in the supply: there are relatively many apartments available compared to other major cities, but demand is correspondingly high. Anyone looking for an apartment in Rotterdam finds themselves in a fast-moving market. New homes often disappear from the platform within days.

The supply ranges from small studios in the city centre to larger apartments in quieter residential areas on the outskirts of the city. Rotterdam attracts a broad target group: young professionals, expats who end up in the city via the port or multinationals, students from Erasmus University, and people who consciously choose an urban living environment without the purchase prices of Amsterdam. View the current supply in all rental properties in Rotterdam.

What you need to know before you respond

Responding to an apartment in Rotterdam requires preparation. A few practical points that make the difference:

• Respond quickly. Popular apartments attract dozens of responses in one day. Set up your search with filters and respond as soon as possible after publication.
• Use push notifications. The free Buurtje.nl app sends you a notification as soon as new supply appears that meets your criteria. That way you won't miss anything. Download the app via the App Store or Google Play. The app is free.
• Know your income threshold. Landlords generally require an income of three to four times the monthly rent. Make sure you can demonstrate this with an employer's statement or recent payslips.
• Watch out for service costs. In apartments, service costs are common for lifts, cleaning of communal areas, or a concierge. Always ask for a breakdown: the law sets limits on what landlords may pass on.
• Check the energy label requirement. Landlords are required to display a valid energy label. A poor label (E, F or G) may mean the apartment can no longer be rented out in the future or that you will have high energy costs.
• Ask about the points system. Homes in the regulated sector fall under the housing valuation system. If the requested rent is higher than the points total allows, you can challenge this at the Rent Tribunal.
• Be alert to small floor areas. Banks look strictly at apartments under 40 m² if you later want to buy. For renting, this matters less, but it does affect liveability in the long term.

Price level: what determines what you pay

Rotterdam is in the upper mid-range when it comes to rental prices for apartments. This is not without reason: the city has grown in appeal, and the demand for urban living has increased sharply in recent years.

Factors influencing the rent:

• Location relative to the centre and public transport
• Presence of a balcony, roof terrace or outdoor space
• Energy label (A or B scores noticeably higher in price)
• Free sector versus social housing (waiting lists for social housing are long)
• Furnished or upholstered (expats pay relatively more for this)

For current price ranges per district or segment, see the overview at the top of this page. Want to compare with buying? Then also check buying apartments in Rotterdam.

Neighbourhoods worth considering

Rotterdam has dozens of neighbourhoods, each with its own character. Based on resident experiences, a number of neighbourhoods stand out. See also the reviews and neighbourhood data of Rotterdam for more detail per neighbourhood.

• Overschie (8.0/10): quiet residential area on the north side of the city, easily accessible, relatively green by Rotterdam standards.
• Prins Alexander (7.9/10): large residential area with many amenities, popular with families and people looking for more space at a lower price than in the centre.
• Kralingen-Crooswijk (7.7/10): student neighbourhood with character, close to Erasmus University and the Kralingse Bos. Lively and varied supply.
• Hillegersberg-Schiebroek (7.6/10): one of the more sought-after residential areas in the north of Rotterdam, known for its lake district and quiet atmosphere.
• Hoogvliet (7.5/10): former garden city on the south side, affordable and well connected via the metro. Less urban, but increasingly popular.

Looking outside Rotterdam pays off

Those who are flexible in location have more options. The Hague is a short train ride away and has its own active rental market for apartments. Especially for expats or people commuting to The Hague, it is worth also including the supply of apartments in The Hague in your search. This can significantly increase the chance of a quicker match.