Newspaper Advertisements

Newspapers often prove good places to start when you are searching for a place to live. Many people turn to the internet, which is also effective, but newspapers should not be forgotten. Some older landlords will put a notice in the newspaper rather than post an advert on the internet, because the newspaper is more familiar. You can search the property listings and the advertisements in the paper for available properties, or place an advert of your own detailing the room / property you are hoping to find. You may have to pay a charge to place the advert, but it can be a worthwhile expense.

Some landlords check the 'room wanted' adverts rather than place an advert themselves; this enables them to contact tenants whom they consider suitable, for example professionals.Your advertisement should contain personal details such as your age, profession and contact number, but also details of how long you wish to stay, the kind of room or property you are looking for and the amount you are willing to pay. It is a good idea to arrange for the advert to appear in the Saturday paper, since this tends to be the edition with the most copies sold. If you see an advertisement from a landlord and are interested, call their contact number to arrange a viewing. If you are uncomfortable speaking Dutch, ask a friend to call on your behalf – however, you should find that many people are able to speak at least a little English.