Writing the Perfect Housing Application Emails in the Netherlands

1. Quick Summary Box – If you’re in a hurry

What this guide covers
How to write a clear, polite, and effective housing application email that landlords and agencies in the Netherlands actually respond to.

Who it’s for
International students, starters, and expats applying for rooms, studios, or apartments in the Netherlands.

The key takeaway
A short, personal, and well-structured email dramatically increases your chances of getting a viewing invite.

2. What students usually struggle with

In the Brave Ones community, we see the same problem every housing season: students send dozens of applications and hear nothing back.

The issue is rarely motivation — it’s usually the email itself. Common struggles include:

• Not knowing what information landlords expect

• Writing emails that are too long or too vague

• Sounding either too informal or overly robotic

• Reusing the same generic message for every listing

In a competitive housing market like the Netherlands, your email is often your first and only chance to stand out.

4. Required information landlords usually expect

While every listing is different, most Dutch landlords expect:

• Full name

• Age

• Study or job

• Planned move-in date

• Length of stay

• Proof of income or guarantor (on request)

Having this ready increases your response speed.

5. Important details international students should know

Based on what we see at Brave Ones:

• Many landlords receive 50+ emails within hours

• Shorter emails often perform better than long life stories

• English is widely accepted, but clear and polite language matters

• Attachments are usually not opened unless requested

Timing also matters. Applying within the first 24 hours significantly improves your chances.

6. Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Mistake 1: Copy-pasting the same message everywhere
Fix: Change at least one sentence per listing.

Mistake 2: Oversharing personal details
Fix: Stick to relevant tenant information only.

Mistake 3: Sounding desperate or apologetic
Fix: Be confident, calm, and respectful.

Mistake 4: Forgetting basic details
Fix: Double-check age, dates, and spelling before sending.

7. Example: a strong housing application email

Subject: Application for room on Van Welderenstraat

Dear landlord,

My name is Lucas, I’m a 24-year-old bachelor’s student at HAN University of Applied Sciences. I will be starting my final year in September and am looking for accommodation in Nijmegen from August onwards.

I’m a non-smoker, have no pets, and live a quiet lifestyle focused on studying and sports. My rent would be paid monthly with support from my parents as guarantors.

I’m very interested in this room due to its central location and the shared household described in the listing.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be happy to attend a viewing or answer any questions.

Kind regards,
Lucas

9. Glossary

Guarantor – A person who agrees to cover rent if the tenant cannot pay.
Viewing – An appointment to see the property.
Listing – The advertisement for a room or apartment.

10. Sources & further reading

• Dutch government housing information: https://www.government.nl/topics/housing

• Brave Ones Housing Library: https://www.braveones.com/library/housing

Brave Ones tip

At Brave Ones, we help international students prepare for housing searches in the Netherlands — from understanding contracts to avoiding scams. A strong application email is often the difference between silence and success.