MNetters in The Netherlands ! I need your help!!

[Cormoran]

We live in Sydney. Our son is starting a Master in Leiden in September and we are trying to find a rental in The Hague, Leiden or anywhere in the vicinity and it is a nightmare. We are obviously doing something wrong. I guess being in Australia as we apply doesn't help.
Can I please ask foe advice, strategies, agencies, ... DS is landing in July.
Thanks in advance.

Try the University, I'm thinking they may have a liaison for overseas students and finding accommodation etc.?

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/international-students/prepare-your-stay/housing#studying-for-max-one-year-exchange-and-one-year-master

Look at that as a starting point, although he has left it late to start looking into accommodation for Sept. At my British university students start applying for accommodation in the autumn for the following year. He could have been in the second priority tier of the new housing system, from reading online, but it is now full for autumn 2026. The key phrases that stood out to me were:

Can't find housing?

Finding accommodation in Leiden or The Hague can be difficult. If you haven't found a place to live before leaving home, we strongly advise you not to come to Leiden University. Consider deferring your studies to allow yourself more time to find a place to stay.

The answer is, sadly, that the housing situation in NL is awful. Especially near universities. The only answer is to keep looking and widen the search area. My friends have had a horrible time finding anything for rent. It's all snapped up as soon as it hits the market.

Have you tried this website:

Kamer Leiden, Kamer huren in Leiden | Kamernet https://share.google/jBa8FPFs9wYsTqjTB

Woning huren in Leiden – vind eenvoudig woonruimte via Huurstunt https://share.google/zR7Rc3UjgIoNhc9d3

I'm not familiar with this website but it popped up on Google.

@Cormoran

Available

Reddit thread with more info

Uni has accomodation for undergraduate and Phd, but not for masters. Sadly. But thanks.

We will look at this, thanks. Uni told him, masters do not have accomodation. He isn't doing an exchange. Really appreciate you looking for the link and posting it. Thank you.

It looks quite atrocious and from so far away, it is even worse, many rentals are put on the market as we sleep and by the time he sees them as 6am, hundreds of applications have been made. Maybe he should go earlier than July, as soon as his degree is finished.

Thank you for the link!

Thanks, I don't remember this one. We have subscribed to a few platforms, but I don't recall this name. Appreciate it.

Why didn't I think of Reddit! Thanks!

It is a nightmare! My DC just finishing a bachelor's and it has been difficult each year. There are multiple scams and when you do find a place the costs are very high. DM me if you would like to speak directly - we did find a place in the end each time and there are some adequate landlords. Wouldn't put it any higher!

@skerche DM sent, thank you.

UPDATE: son signed a lease today!
Thanks to all of you.