The website of Stadswonen Rotterdam uses cookies. Do not show this window again.

Subletting

Can I sublet my room?

Are you going to do an internship or temporarily study in a different place (either in the Netherlands or another country)? You can, under certain conditions, rent your room to someone else. This is only allowed if your reason for subletting is related to your study and you meet the specified conditions for subletting. Taking a holiday or sabbatical are not permissible reasons. You are not allowed to just rent your room out as you feel like it without good reason, either directly or via platforms such as Airbnb.

To sublet your room you must get permission from Stadswonen Rotterdam. This can be requested via Stadswonen Portal.

What do I need to be aware of while subletting my room or apartment?

Having a subtenant registered at your address can affect things such as your personal tax allowances, pollution tax charges for independently housed tenants levied by the Regional Tax Group, and more. So make sure you’re fully informed about what all the implications are for you.

  • The rental agreement will remain in your name and you, as the primary tenant, will remain responsible for upholding the obligations of the contract (including timely payment of the rent and appropriate use of the property).
  • Upon your request, Stadswonen Rotterdam can provide a landlord’s declaration which enables your subtenant to register with the Rotterdam municipality as living at your address. This also enables the Education Executive Agency (DUO) to register the subtenant as non-resident. This landlord’s declaration will state the agreed time period for the sublet.
  • If relevant, you should introduce your subtenant to the person who manages your building and to the other residents.
  • If you aren’t already paying your rent automatically by standing order, we advise you to set this up.

How do I sublet my room?

You can request permission to sublet via Stadswonen Portal. You’ll need to state your reason for subletting and provide: 

  • a copy of the subtenant’s ID 
  • a copy of the subtenant’s course enrolment document (if relevant)
  • an official document which proves your reason for subletting

It’s up to you to find your subtenant. They do not need to be registered with Stadswonen Rotterdam. Need help finding someone? HousingAnywhere is a good place to find incoming exchange students

What are the conditions and arrangements for subletting?

Are you going to do an internship or temporarily study in a different place (either in the Netherlands or another country)? You can, under certain conditions, rent your room to someone else.

Conditions for subletting:

  • Your reason for subletting must be related to your study, e.g. because you’re going to study in another country for a short while. We do not permit you to sublet because you’re taking a holiday or sabbatical.
  • Your application for subletting must be submitted via Stadswonen Portal at least one and a half months before the start date of your proposed sublet period.
  • The maximum duration of a sublet is twelve months.
  • The door-to-door travel time from your Stadswonen accommodation to your temporary study or internship location must be more than two hours. Stadswonen Rotterdam references 9292.nl/en for journey times.
  • The subletting period cannot include the final month of your rental contract.
  • It’s up to you to find your own subtenant. That person does not need to be registered with Stadswonen Rotterdam. Need help finding a subtenant? HousingAnywhere is a good place to find incoming exchange students.
  • The subtenant must satisfy the same criteria as generally apply for your building. You can find out what these are in our residential buildings
  • Your housemates (if relevant) do not have any objections to your proposed subtenant living with them temporarily.
  • The amount of rent you charge the subtenant must not be any more than we charge you, inclusive of service costs.

    Why aren’t I allowed to rent out my room via Airbnb?

    There are a number of reasons why you aren’t allowed to just rent your accommodation to others as you feel like it.

    • It violates the Stadswonen Rotterdam General Terms and Conditions of renting that form part of your rental agreement.
    • Your accommodation is intended for day-to-day living, not for purely recreational use.
    • Your accommodation is intended for students and young people. Stadswonen Rotterdam is a housing corporation which is legally obliged to be able to provide evidence of who is living in the accommodation.

    In addition: Everyone wants to live in a safe home. When you rent your living space out to strangers, you don’t know who’s coming into your property. And neither do your housemates and other fellow residents. It’s uncomfortable for them to encounter strangers in the building where they live.

    What will happen if I rent my room out without permission?

    Subletting your accommodation is strictly forbidden without express permission from Stadswonen Rotterdam. This applies both to long-term arrangements and to shorter ones through parties such as Airbnb. Read the provisions concerning this in our rental contract Terms and Conditions.

     The consequences of illegal subletting are:

    • Legal proceedings will be started to terminate your rental contract.
    • You are obliged to pay all income from subletting to us.
    • You will not receive a good tenancy reference from us. This will adversely affect your prospects for renting your next home.
    • This fraudulent activity will be reported to the local municipality. The municipality of Rotterdam has a Housing Regulation in force which prohibits unauthorised subletting and imposes fines of €5,000 to €18,000 for violations.
    • The additional income you received from the rental will be reported to the tax office.

    Stadswonen Rotterdam maintains a strong stance against housing fraud.