***** Amsterdam, the Netherlands *****

FAQ

Question: Do these apartments have a bath, washer/dryer, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, microwave, cable connection?

Answer: All apartments are furnished, decorated and equipped, with all necessary niceties, e.g. all of the above and more.

Question: Do you offer broadband internet connectivity (DSL or cable)?

Answer: Some already have these modems installed; all others are ready to have either DSL or cable. You need to apply with one of the Service Providers to activate it.

Question: Is parking available?

Answer: In the center of Amsterdam you need either a permit or you have to fill the parking meters. Parking houses are near by though. At Keizersgracht D2 a parking in the basement can be rented. Amsterdam-Buitenveldert is still parking free, and there are plenty of parking spots available. Villas and houses outside of Amsterdam parking is included for free.

Question: Is a deposit required?

Answer: It is standard to pay first the month's rent plus a deposit of one or two months' rent to the landlord. We only require one month's rent in case of 1 year or longer rental periods.

Question: What does furnished mean?

Answer: Furnished means fully furnished:  the property comes with furniture, tv, stereo, pots and pans, towels, sheets, washer, etc. All you need to bring is your own toothbrush!

Question: What does semi-furnished mean?

Answer: Semi-furnished is also referred to as carpeted, and means the property comes with floor covering (wooden floor, carpeting etc.), curtains, fixed lamps, electric kitchen equipment such as fridge, cooker, sometimes dishwasher etc., and also a washer and dryer. That means you will have to bring your own furniture, kitchen utensils, linen etc.

Question: How much does it cost me to rent something?

Answer: In all honesty: the first month is most expensive for you, because you have to count on paying the following to the relevant rental broker: - first month's rent (or remainder of the month's rent), - deposit (equal to 1 or 2 months' rent), - commission fee if there is a real estate agent involved (equal 1 month's rent , or 1/2 month  if shorter than 6 months).

Question: Can I pay with my credit card?

Answer: No, unfortunately most rental brokers do not have credit card and/or bank card (pin) facilities at this moment in time. You can pay via bank transfer to our bank account, or in cash.

Question: I would like to share an apartment with someone, but I don't have anyone to share with, can you help me?

Answer: Unfortunately we cannot help you in finding a roommate, but if you already have a friend or colleague to share with, we'd be happy to help you find the right rental broker to help you find something suitable.

Question: When do I need a residence permit?

Answer: You have to apply for a residence permit if you intend on staying in the Netherlands for over three months and: you are not an European Union (EU) citizen or you come from: Australia,  Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, or the United States of America. You can apply for one at the Aliens Police when you arrive in the Netherlands. Temporary residence permit If you are from another country then the before mentioned, and intend on staying in the Netherlands for over three months, you have to apply for a temporary residence permit. This is available at the Dutch Embassy in your own country. Without the temporary residence permit, you will be sent back to you country of origin immediately. The Dutch government will not allow you to work in order to cover the costs of your study porgramme or your living expenses (for EU-residents there may be exceptions). Neither will they give you the opportunity to receive benefit from the Dutch Social Services. Further information If you intend to apply for a work permit and want to know more about the procedure, information can be obtained from your local employment office or CWI, or from the Work Permits department of the National Employment Office, Telephone: +31 79-371 2903. Information on general questions on legislation and regulations relating to the WAV is available from the Information department of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, Telephone +31 70 3334455. Amsterdam has some 367,000 dwellings (for a population of 727,000 inhabitants). A few thousand new dwellings are built each year. A great deal of information can be found on the Internet on renting and buying dwellings. You can also find information on rent subsidy, housing associations, rules for assignment of dwellings etc

Question: Public transportation; how does it work?

Answer: Amsterdam city centre is not easily accessible by car. Parking space is scarce and if you are lucky enough to find a space, parking is really expensive. A better way of moving about in the city centre is by public transport. You can also walk or use a bike because nowhere is very far apart in Amsterdam. This page contains a brief explanation of the public transport network in Amsterdam. The routes, stops and stations on the map of the public transport network in Amsterdam. By tram If you have to go anywhere in the city centre, the tram is the most convenient means of transport. They are frequent, fast and dependable. You can buy a ticket from the driver, the conductor at the back of the tram, or a machine in the middle of the tram, depending on the sort of tram it is. However, it is considerably cheaper if you buy a 'strippenkaart' from a tobacconist, post office or railway station beforehand, for €5.90 for 15 strips. On most trams you stamp these yourself in the yellow machines in the tram: each journey uses one strip plus a strip for every zone you travel in. If you stay within the centre of town, that is one zone, so you leave one strip blank and stamp the second. If you travel over a zone border, you are travelling in two zones, so you leave two strips blank, and stamp the third. On some trams there is a conductor: you get on at the back of the tram and the conductor stamps your ticket for you. Once stamped, a ticket is valid for an hour, regardless of how often you change tram or bus. Several people can travel on one strippenkaart: you just stamp it for the first person, and then for the second, and so on.   You should hail a tram to indicate you want to get on. Press the button near the door to open it. If the tram has a conductor you must use the rear door to get on. You have to press one of the red STOP buttons inside the tram to indicate that you want to get off at the next stop (although there is rarely a stop where no one wants to get out). Again press the button near the door to open it when the tram has stopped. Day and week passes Day and week passes and strippencards are valid on all trams, buses and metros, and also on trains within the city boundaries (thus not to Schiphol airport: then you have to buy a train ticket). You must stamp a day or week pass the first time you use it only. There is a free map of all tram and bus routes in Amsterdam available from tourist offices or the GVB office in front of Central Station. The trams run until just after midnight (the last trams leave Central Station at 12.15). After that there is an hourly service of night buses from Central Station. By bus There are also thirty bus lines in the city. The bus is most suitable for travelling from the Central Station to neighbourhoods which are further from the city centre and to Amsterdam North. You board the bus at the front and show the driver your ticket. If you do not yet have a valid ticket, you can buy one from him. Tickets for city and regional travel are always cheaper when bought in advance! Night lines Buses also run at night on nine different routes in the city, hourly during the week and half-hourly at the weekend. The night buses to and from the Zuidoost neighbourhood run half-hourly throughout the week. In addition to an ordinary strip ticket, you must also buy a supplement ticket for two guilders before travelling on the night bus. All local night buses run from or via the Central Station. This is the central changing point. These take account of connections with other night lines of the GVB, night trains run by the NS (Dutch railways) and (night) regional transport. If possible the buses wait for buses on another night line arriving slightly later. Line 71 crosses a number of other night lines and is therefore a good one to use for changing from one line to another. By metro There are also four metro and fast tram lines in Amsterdam. The metro lines connect the Central Station quickly to the Zuidoost neighbourhood. The fast tram runs from the Central Station, via Buitenveldert to Amstelveen. The ring line runs from Amsterdam Sloterdijk station to Gein via the Zuid/WTC station. Click here for a map of the Amsterdam metro network. Tickets The tram or bus driver or the conductor sells 2, 3 and 8-strip tickets. You can buy cheaper (15) strip tickets at GVB sales points, supermarkets, tabacco or newspaper shops, and the Amsterdam tourist office. You can also use your hour network ticket or strip ticket in the metro or fast tram. If you do not have a ticket, you can buy one from the machine in the ticket hall of the metro stations. At the GVB office opposite the Central Station and at the Amsterdam tourist office (VVV) You can also buy tickets there which are valid for several days, up to a maximum of nine days. The ticket is valid once you have had it stamped by the conductor. Public transport from Park & Ride facilities On the Park & Ride page you will find the public transport options from the place where you have parked your car to the centre of Amsterdam.

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