Do you live in a student room and wonder whether you rent within the social housing sector? You’re not alone. Many students don’t know if their room qualifies as social housing or if they’re entitled to housing allowance. Once you start living on your own, terms like “social rent,” “housing benefit,” and “self-contained housing” come at you fast. But what do they really mean for you and your wallet? This blog explains it all, step by step.
A student room is always considered social housing. Studios with a private kitchen and bathroom only qualify as social housing if the “rekenhuur” (calculated rent) is below €900.07 (2025) or if you pay an all-in rent. Some service charges, such as cleaning or lighting of shared spaces, are included in the calculated rent.
Living in a student room comes with pros and cons. One benefit is the potential to receive housing allowance. If you're renting a student room or studio, it qualifies as social housing under these conditions:
If you meet these conditions, your rent may be significantly reduced through housing allowance.
Student rooms can qualify for social housing in different ways. Below are two examples:
You rent a room in a student house and share the kitchen and bathroom with housemates. Because you don’t have private facilities, your room is non-self-contained and automatically considered social housing. You are not eligible for housing allowance, but you do have tenant protection.
You rent a studio with a private kitchen and shower. You pay €870 in basic rent and €25 in eligible service costs. Your total calculated rent is below the €900.07 threshold (2025), so your studio qualifies as social housing. Because it’s a self-contained unit, you’re eligible for housing allowance.
Living on your own is expensive. Housing allowance helps make it more affordable. A student room qualifies for housing allowance under these conditions:
Although student rooms are automatically considered social housing, that doesn’t mean you automatically qualify for housing allowance. This benefit is only available for self-contained units. Does your room have its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom? Then you qualify.
Earn more than €47,699 or live in a household that earns more than €52,671? Don’t worry. Housing corporations can freely allocate 15% of social housing. Here’s how it works:
Annual social housing allocation by housing corporations (2024):
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Annual supply of social housing units from housing associations |
Annual supply of social housing from housing associationsFor renters with income (2024) |
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At least 85% |
Maximum €47,699 for single-person households Maximum €52,671 for multi-person households |
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Maximum 15% (if there are agreements on performance of local parties). Maximum 7.5% without agreements. |
Higher than €47,699 for single-person households Higher than €52,671 for multi-person households |
Waiting times for student rooms in social housing vary by city. In popular student cities like Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Delft, you may wait 6–13 years unless you respond to campus contracts via DUWO or SSH. In cities like Groningen, waiting times are shorter — the average was 2.9 years.
Tip: don’t want to wait? Sign up at kamer.nl and explore available student rooms today.
Have more questions about social housing or renting a room? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Looking for a room, studio or apartment? Sign up now at Kamer.nl and start searching the largest rental platform in the Netherlands.