If you’ve been living in the Netherlands for a while, there’s a good chance your housing situation has made you pause and think, “Wait… is this actually allowed?”

From registration confusion to paying rent for rooms you’re no longer sleeping in, Dutch housing has a lot of moments that feel illegal but are surprisingly normal. Especially when you’re a student or young professional who’s already renting and thinking about listing your room.

Here are some of those moments.

1. Being Weirdly Involved in the Whole Move-Out Process

In many countries, moving out is simple. You pack your things, hand in your keys, and leave.

In the Netherlands, moving out often feels like you suddenly have responsibilities you never signed up for.

You might need to:

Find the next tenant yourself
Organise viewings
Advertise the room
Explain house rules
Coordinate handover dates
Make sure the place is clean and ready

At some point, it starts to feel like you’ve accidentally become a property manager overnight.

Illegal? No.
Overwhelming? Maybe.

That’s exactly why platforms like RentSwap exist, to make this process clearer, safer, and less stressful by helping outgoing tenants list verified rooms, handle takeovers properly, and know what’s actually expected of them.

2. Having to Stay Registered Somewhere You Don’t Even Live (Yet)

Registration rules in the Netherlands can feel confusing, and sometimes even a little… questionable.

You might be:

Still registered at your old address while your boxes are already packed
In between contracts with no “perfect” address to register at

It might not feel like the most legal setup, but in reality, this kind of overlap is very common here. Especially when contracts end mid-month or during busy periods like summer or December.

It feels sketchy.
But it’s basically normal in the Netherlands.

In some cases, students temporarily use a postal address while they are abroad or between rooms, so their registration stays valid while the next tenant can register at the room. This depends on the municipality, but it’s a practical solution many people don’t realise exists.

3. Paying Rent for a Room You’re Not Sleeping In Anymore

This one hurts emotionally and financially.

You’ve moved out.
Your room is empty.
You’re still paying rent.

This happens when:

Notice periods overlap
The next tenant hasn’t moved in yet
You’re subletting temporarily

It feels unfair. It feels illegal.
Unfortunately, it’s very normal.

This is also why having clear agreements and a smooth handover matters so much when listing your room.

4. Doing Viewings in Your Own Bedroom

Inviting people into your room to “sell” it is one of the most awkward housing rituals.

You’re casually explaining:

Where your bed fits
Why the window doesn’t open properly
That yes, the heater does work

All while standing there like you’re on display.

Uncomfortable? Yes.
Illegal? Not even close.

5. Leaving Furniture Behind and Just… Hoping for the Best

In many Dutch rentals, furniture is passed down like folklore.

You leave:

A bed
A wardrobe
That one chair everyone uses
Etc.

Sometimes for free. Sometimes for a small takeover fee. Sometimes with zero paperwork.

It feels chaotic, but it’s actually very common, especially in student housing and shared apartments.

Why This Matters When You’re Listing a Room

Most of these situations feel “illegal” because they’re unclear, rushed, or poorly explained. That’s usually when stress kicks in and mistakes happen.

When you’re listing your room, what actually helps is:

Clear agreements
Verified listings
Knowing exactly what’s expected of you

Because housing is already stressful enough without wondering if you’re doing something wrong.

Making Moving Out Less Confusing

Feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re doing something illegal. It usually just means the system isn’t very transparent.

That’s why platforms like RentSwap focus on:

Verified rooms
Direct takeovers
Clear expectations for both outgoing and incoming tenants

So listing your room feels less like a legal gamble and more like a normal step forward.

Final Thought

If Dutch housing has ever made you pause and think, “Surely this can’t be allowed…”

You’re not alone.
And most of the time, yes, it actually is.

RentSwap. Making student housing swaps easy.