Students in the northern Netherlands are facing higher rental costs and fewer housing options, particularly in Groningen, according to Kamernet’s latest report. The Q3 2024 data, which analyzed over 25,000 student housing listings, reveals a 7.2% increase in average rental prices nationwide and a particularly competitive market in Groningen, where demand is surging and supply is shrinking.
In Groningen, rental prices for student rooms rose by 3.2% over the past year as availability dropped by 5.2%. Each room listing attracted, on average, 81 potential tenants—an 84% rise from last quarter due to high demand at the start of the academic year. Kamernet CEO Djordy Seelmann emphasized the need for policy changes to address this growing problem, especially in high-demand cities. “Starting a housing search early and considering nearby cities may help, but broader measures are necessary,” Seelmann said.
In contrast, Leeuwarden recorded a 1.4% drop in room rental prices, reflecting its lower demand and potentially offering some relief to budget-conscious students.
Kamernet also reported a 14% increase in the cost per square meter for student rooms across the country, along with an average reduction in room size of 6.8%. This trend is hitting Groningen particularly hard, where students pay more for increasingly smaller spaces. Although apartment prices have risen in most cities, Groningen and Leeuwarden saw slight decreases, dropping by 6.5% and 8.5% respectively.
Kamernet is one of the largest housing platforms in the Netherlands, with listings from private landlords, realtors, and roommates. Its quarterly reports track price and availability trends across major Dutch cities, providing a key resource for students and policymakers.
