Rental homes in Smilde, Midden-Drenthe
View the current supply of rental properties in Smilde, including neighbourhood reviews and district statistics. Compare prices, sizes and neighbourhoods to make the right choice.
What does a rental property cost in Smilde? Limited supply, relatively affordable
Smilde is a village where most homes are privately owned: 64% are owner-occupied, and only 36% of the more than 2,083 homes are rented out. Of those rental properties, the majority (27% of the total) are owned by a housing association, meaning the private rental sector here is very small. In the past year, only one property was rented out in the private sector, for €1,200 per month with an area of 144 m². That is not a wide range to choose from, and it immediately illustrates the scarcity in the private segment. Social housing through the association is available, but expect waiting times.
The average WOZ value in Smilde, at €254,000, is well below the municipal average of €299,000 in Midden-Drenthe. This makes the village relatively affordable, both for buyers and renters. The average income of €31,900 is also below the municipal level of €34,500. Want to know what is currently available? At the top of this page you will find the current rental offering with daily prices and rental periods.
Quiet living along the Norgervaart, but not without drawbacks
Smilde scores a 6.8 out of 10 on Buurtje.nl based on resident experiences. That is not an outstanding score, and if you read the reviews, you understand why. Residents appreciate the green surroundings (8.3) and accessibility (8.3): the village is conveniently located along the N371 towards Assen and Meppel, and the bus connections to Assen are usable for daily commuting. Education also scores well with an 8.5, which fits the family-friendly character of the village.
But there are clear pain points. Resident Roos (6.0/10) describes problems with poor maintenance of pavements and fire escapes, waterlogging in gardens, and a lack of information for people facing financial difficulties. She also mentions prejudices and social friction in the neighbourhood. Romanos (5.6/10) experiences similar issues: unlit fire escapes, protruding sleepers on which he broke his toe, and a ventilation system that does not work, resulting in mould and damp in the crawl space. The housing association is held responsible for this. These are signals that you should take seriously as a tenant, especially if you are aiming for association properties.
In terms of amenities, Smilde scores a meagre 5.0. There is a supermarket and some basic shops along the Hoofdstraat, but for more extensive shopping or dining you need to go to Assen (about 15 minutes by car). The community score of 6.0 confirms that the social fabric is not equally strong everywhere, although there are village activities and associations. In the centre of Smilde you are closest to the amenities, while the northern part and Smilde-Zuid are quieter and greener. More background on daily life, including all resident experiences, can be found on the neighbourhood page of Smilde.
Renting in Smilde: suitable for peace seekers, less so for city dwellers
A rental home in Smilde best suits people who consciously choose a quiet, green village and have no need for urban amenities around the corner. The largest age group is 45 to 65 years, and with 1,175 residents aged 65 and over, there is an ageing population. For young starters looking to rent an apartment in Smilde, the supply is very limited: the private sector is minimal and social housing has waiting lists. Families with school-age children benefit from the good education score, but must take into account the poor condition of some rental properties. Looking for more space and ownership? Then check out the offering of homes for sale in Smilde, where WOZ values are lower than elsewhere in the municipality.
Looking for a rental property in Smilde or nearby?
Via Buurtje.nl you can compare the current rental offering in Smilde with neighbourhood reviews and district data, so you know what to expect before planning a viewing. The supply in Smilde itself is tight. Therefore, also look at the larger Beilen for more choice, or at quieter villages like Wijster and Hooghalen. A complete overview of all options can be found on the page rental properties in Midden-Drenthe. More information about local regulations and housing policy is available on the website of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent for a house in Smilde?
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rent over the past year was €1,200 per month, with an average area of 144 m². However, supply in the free sector is very limited: only one property was rented out. Social housing through the housing association is cheaper but involves waiting times.
How long is the waiting time for a social housing property in Smilde?
Smilde has a relatively high number of housing association properties (27% of the total), but waiting times in Drenthe typically run up to several years. The exact waiting time depends on your registration period and urgency. Contact the local housing association or check the website of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe for current information.
Is Smilde well accessible by public transport?
Residents rate accessibility at 8.3 out of 10. Smilde is located on the N371 between Assen and Meppel, and there are buses towards Assen. A car is handy for daily shopping and work outside the village. The train station in Assen can be reached in about 15 minutes by car.
Are there good schools nearby if I am looking for a rental house in Smilde?
Yes, education scores the highest of all categories in resident experiences at 8.5. Smilde has primary schools in the village itself. For secondary education, students rely on Assen, which is well accessible by bus.
What is the condition of rental properties in Smilde?
Residents rate housing at 6.3 out of 10. Reviews mention problems such as poorly working ventilation systems, damp issues in crawl spaces, unlit fire escapes, and overdue maintenance of pavements and paving. During a viewing, check the condition of ventilation, insulation, and outdoor space. The average energy consumption is 2,640 kWh of electricity and 1,200 m³ of gas per year.
Alley not lit by street lamps. Responsibility lies with the housing association. I have a broken little toe from protruding sleepers of a garden in the alley. Ventilation system doesn't work. Draft, mould, water under crawl space. There was also a visit from a company regarding energy level. C was personal, will become B for business. The housing association in question is difficult to communicate with, in my experience. Same with the pavements in the alley and the drain I called the relevant department about, but still need to report it. The neighbourhood. I've only just moved here and what strikes me is that there are no rubbish bins where you can, for example, dispose of your dog's waste. I also see that people dump waste in the private woodland areas where you're allowed to walk, including the poop bags. And then the pavements. Dangerous! And in the neighbourhood itself, people drive too fast. I don't get too worked up about it, but I actually find it quite annoying. The greenery, walking paths, private woods where you can walk are beautiful. With diversity of flora and fauna. But again, I see stepped-on mushrooms, plastic, cans, bottles, and much more. I take with me what I can take. But actually, there should be a bin at the beginning of the path, which is on municipal land. I notice little of the community. I'm quite a loner. When I walk the dog, people are friendly. It has become a reasonably mixed village.
Auto-translated to English by AII notice a lot of incompetence in prejudices about appearance, your dog, waste, other people's belongings, nuisance from cats, poor maintenance of pavements, alleyways without lighting and poor paving. Little information about possible help for the less fortunate. Water damage in gardens and surroundings. Car tyres are always flat in certain parking spots. Setting off fireworks too early. And probably more.
Auto-translated to English by AIIt's a lovely green area with all amenities nearby. The only thing I miss is a lunchroom/coffee shop/restaurant.
Auto-translated to English by AI
