Frequently asked questions.

At Student Experience, our goal is to give everyone an equal chance. That's why there's no waitlist! 

For our locations Amsterdam Minervahaven, Madrid Pozuelo, and Granada, we operate on a 'first come, first served' basis. If there's a studio available you can book it straight away. Curious how? Click on the location to learn how to book a studio: 
Amsterdam Minervahaven
Madrid Pozuelo
Granada

For our locations Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam NDSM, Amsterdam Zuidas, and Leiden, you can respond to a studio by entering the automated draw. If you've been selected for the automated draw, you'll be notified within a few days. Click on one of the locations below to read everything about responding to a studio: 

Amsterdam Amstel
Amsterdam NDSM
Amsterdam Zuidas
Leiden

Log in to your account for an overview of your responses to available studios. Please note that this overview only includes responses to currently active ads. If an ad is no longer online, your reaction won't appear here.

At some of our locations, you can tour the complex before committing to a contract. 

Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam NDSM, Amsterdam Zuidas, and Leiden.  
If you’ve been selected by the automated draw for our long-stay locations, you can plan an introductory meeting within 48 hours after receiving the message. The introductory meeting takes place on-site, via FaceTime, or by phone with the duty manager and takes approximately 30 minutes. 

Amsterdam Minervahaven 
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to tour our Amsterdam Minervahaven complex before your check-in date. However, you can explore the building online through our 360° virtual tour to get a feel for the space. 

Once you’ve checked in, our Duty Manager will be happy to give you an in-person tour so you can get to know the facilities. 

Madrid Pozuelo and Granada
You’re welcome to visit our complexes in Madrid and Granada before booking. Either in person if you’re nearby, or through a virtual tour if you’re living further away. 

Book a tour in Granada 
Book a tour in Madrid 

Are you no longer interested in receiving updates about available studios? You can adjust your preferences within your studio seeker account or delete your account entirely. 

For Amstel, NDSM, Zuidas, and Leiden: conditional proof of enrollment for the next academic year (starting September) is accepted from June onwards.

For Minervahaven, Madrid Pozuelo, and Granada: no waitlist, book directly once a studio is available, studios for 26/27 are already open, so check early for the best options.

Student housing runs on two booking models: first-come, first-served with no waitlist (book directly once a studio is available, or using an automated draw: you register, respond to a studio, and get notified if selected. Every studio requires proof of enrollment at an educational institution, and contracts are tied to your student status (a campus clause for long-stay locations, a fixed end date for short-stay ones). Around the studios, shared facilities are organized to build a student community alongside the private living space.

1. Check eligibility for your target location (study status, nationality/address requirements for Minervahaven).
2. Register for updates (draw locations: Amstel, NDSM, Zuidas, Leiden) or book directly online (Minervahaven, Madrid Pozuelo, Granada).
3. Take a virtual tour if you can't visit in person before booking.
4. Upload proof of enrollment and sign your contract digitally.
5. Pay the down payment/deposit and first month's rent to secure your studio.
6. Schedule your check-in appointment in advance — bring a valid ID (passport, ID card, or driver's license).
7. After arrival, register with the municipality if required (needed for stays of 4+ months at some locations).

Once you have made your studio selection, switching to a different studio is not possible. Your contract will be finalized based on the studio you selected during the online booking process.

In exceptional cases where relocation becomes essential, for example, due to a technical issue, we will contact you personally.

Subletting without our permission (renting your studio to someone else) and cohabitation (living with someone) are not permitted and result in a fine for violating the contract.

In the Netherlands, the government permits temporary subletting of your studio if approved by the landlord. For instance, if you're going abroad for a study exchange, you can have someone occupy your studio for a maximum of 6 months, a practice referred to as home sitting, formally known as residence stewardship.

Only at the locations Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam NDSM, Amsterdam Zuidas and Leiden can you apply for home sitting. Home sitting is allowed only after completing the application process and receiving our formal approval via email. To ensure alignment with our guidelines at Student Experience, we, for example, require a meeting with the person who will occupy your studio.

For more details and rules and to apply for home sitting, please log into the service portal.

All Student Experience studios are designed for single occupation only. Sharing your studio to live together with a friend or partner is therefore not allowed.

In Granada, a couple of studios are designed for sharing. You can see these studios here. 

It’s not allowed to bring pets into any Student Experience location. This rule includes owning a pet in your studio, temporarily taking care of someone’s pet (pet sitting), or a visitor bringing a pet along to your studio or in the communal areas.

Want to know how to terminate your contract? Check the 'For residents' page of your location.

Student Experience Amsterdam Amstel
Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven
Student Experience Amsterdam NDSM
Student Experience Amsterdam Zuidas
Student Experience Leiden
Student Experience Madrid Pozuelo
Student Experience Granada

You're expected to leave your studio empty, clean, and in good condition for the new tenant.

For Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam NDSM, Amsterdam Zuidas, and Leiden:
You schedule the pre- and final inspection when terminating your contract. During the pre-inspection, the duty manager will assess your studio for any defects and provide you with a list of necessary resolutions before the final inspection, which occurs before or on the last day of your contract. If any defects are identified during the final inspection, you will be responsible for covering the repair costs. If the defects are so serious that the studio cannot be rented out immediately after you leave, you will be charged for the number of days the studio is vacant.

Visit the 'For residents' page of your location to learn more about how to leave your studio and download the checklist:
Student Experience Amsterdam Amstel
Student Experience Amsterdam NDSM
Student Experience Amsterdam Zuidas
Student Experience Leiden

For Amsterdam Minervahaven, Madrid Pozuelo, and Granada:
Your contract has a fixed end date. You must check out and return the keys to your studio no later than the end date. The duty manager will inspect your studio after you have left.

For more details on the check out process, visit the 'For residents' page of your location:
Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven
Student Experience Madrid Pozuelo
Student Experience Granada

Unfortunately, transferring your studio to a friend or family member is not possible. To ensure fairness for all studio seekers at Student Experience, your studio will be listed on the website for others to apply.

However, you can refer your friends to our website, where they can register and apply for available studios.

A landlord statement provides information regarding living and payment behavior in the last two years. A landlord statement can only be provided if you stay with Student Experience for more than 1 year and meet the following criteria:

• No payment arrears at this time or in the past year
• No payment plan at this time or in the past year
• No record with the bailiff at this time or in the past year
• No social notifications at this time or in the past year

Do you want us to issue a landlord statement? Send an e-mail to info@studentexperience.com and we can return a completed landlord statement within 2 business days.

Do you want to know the average cost of student housing in, for example, Amsterdam? The prices of studios vary per location and studio type. For an overview of prices for a specific location, go to:

Student Experience Amsterdam Amstel
Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven
Student Experience Amsterdam NDSM
Student Experience Amsterdam Zuidas
Student Experience Leiden
Student Experience Madrid Pozuelo
Student Experience Granada

Looking for affordable student housing in Amsterdam or Leiden? Housing allowance is one way to lower your monthly costs. In the Netherlands, you can apply for housing allowance, which is possible if you’re over 21 years old and live at one of the following Student Experience locations:
Amsterdam Amstel
Amsterdam NDSM
Amsterdam Zuidas
Leiden

You can apply for housing allowance directly with the Tax Authorities. Click here to start the process.

In Leiden, 200 studios have been prioritized for students between 18 and 21 years. These studios have a rental price below the maximum. They can request housing allowance here.

Calculating housing allowance
To calculate how much housing allowance you are entitled to, click here.

Before check-in, a deposit must be paid together with your first month’s rent. The deposit varies per location. You can check the deposit for each location here:

Student Experience Amsterdam Amstel
Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven
Student Experience Amsterdam NDSM
Student Experience Amsterdam Zuidas
Student Experience Leiden
Student Experience Madrid Pozuelo
Student Experience Granada

What extra costs to expect on top of the rent for student housing, like utilities, internet, or service fees?

Long stay

To keep living costs as low and transparent as possible, Student Experience collectively arranges essential utilities and services for its residents. This applies to our complexes Amsterdam Amstel, NDSM & Zuidas, and Leiden. The services that we and/or third parties provide are charged as service costs. Think of cleaning, garden maintenance, district heating, water, electricity, and connections for internet and TV. This way, everything is always organized well, and you live in a well-kept complex.

The amount of the service costs varies per location and can be increased annually if the actual costs exceed the paid advance. Of course, we try to keep the service costs as low as possible. Please check the service portal to find out which services and deliveries are part of your service costs.

Amsterdam Amstel
Amsterdam NDSM
Amsterdam Zuidas
Leiden

Short stay
For contracts with a fixed end date - Madrid Pozuelo, Granada, and Minervahaven - an all-inclusive price structure applies. This means that the price of your studio, the services you receive, and (municipal) taxes are all included in the total cost. If you are staying in Madrid Pozuelo or Granada, you have the option to add a meal plan, which is not included in the base price.

Amsterdam Minervahaven
Madrid Pozuelo
Granada

This information applies to the long stay locations Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam NDSM, Amsterdam Zuidas, and Leiden only:
Each month, you pay the service costs in advance, estimated based on projected yearly expenses. The service costs include fees for your individual usage of water, heating, and electricity in your studio, as well as general expenses like internet, cleaning in common areas, security, and caretaker fees (determined according to rent committee rules).

The service costs are reconciled after the calendar year ends based on actual expenses. The energy tax refund will also be settled in the service cost statement and will not be refunded separately. This process determines whether you've overpaid or underpaid in the previous year. Any excess payment is refunded, or additional charges are invoiced accordingly. Following this reconciliation, the monthly service costs can be adjusted, and a new advance amount is calculated. You can expect to receive the settlement within six months after the calendar year ends.

However, receiving a substantial refund doesn't necessarily mean your costs will be lower in the new year. Factors such as rising energy prices may prompt us to maintain or even increase the advance amount despite any excess payments from the previous year.

At our long-stay locations Amsterdam Amstel, NDSM & Zuidas, and Leiden, you will receive separate invoices for waste collection and water taxes. These levies and taxes are imposed by the local municipality and are not considered service costs, as they are not related to services provided by the landlord.

If your income is low, you can request remission for certain taxes and charges. On the website of the Tax Office of the Municipality of Amsterdam or Leiden you can read which taxes and levies you have to pay and how you can request a remission for this.

You can set up a monthly payment order or periodic transfer and determine the date of the transfer yourself. Just make sure we have received the amount before the first of the month.

Always state your name, address, and customer number (KLxxxxxxxx) with the transfer. You can find your personal number in the service portal. Residents of Amsterdam NDSM don't need to add their customer number to the transfer. 

Bank account details vary per location. You can find the bank account details for your location on the FAQ page under 'Payment details'. Any bank fees are to be borne by the student. Bank fees that are charged to Student Experience will be deducted from the rental payment.

Important: our system requires at least one working day to process your payment and update your payment overview. International payments may take up to 3 working days to process. For credit card payments, the duration varies depending on the customer's bank and may take up to two weeks before we receive the amount. Please complete your credit card payments at least two weeks in advance.

You have the option to manually transfer your monthly payment via online payment through the service portal. Online payments are not available for the locations Amsterdam NDSM and Leiden; you must make a bank transfer through your bank instead.

You can make your online payment via iDeal (for Dutch bank accounts) or by credit card.

Important: our system requires at least one working day to process your online payment and update your payment overview. International payments may take up to 3 working days to process. For credit card payments, the duration varies depending on the customer's bank and may take up to two weeks before we receive the amount. Please complete your credit card payments at least two weeks in advance.

Your rent should be received in our account before the 1st of the month. If this is not the case, a payment backlog occurs and we will send a reminder. If you fail to pay within 14 days, collection costs will be charged.

To avoid this, make sure to pay on time to prevent unnecessary costs.

Important: our system requires at least one working day to process your payment and update your payment overview. International payments may take up to 3 working days to process. For credit card payments, the duration varies depending on the customer's bank and may take up to two weeks before we receive the amount. Please complete your credit card payments at least two weeks in advance.

You can settle your payment arrears through the service portal.

Payment arrears can quickly add up, so it's important to find a solution quickly. In exceptional cases we can arrange a payment plan for this. This way you pay off your debt in installments.

The most important rules are:

• A payment plan can be arranged no more than once every 12 months. We calculate this from the end date of the last payment plan.
• The backlog may not increase any further, the monthly rent must be paid on time just like the amount of the payment plan.
• Do you not comply with the arrangements made in the payment plan? Then the arrangement will be terminated and the bailiff will be engaged.

Always state your name and address with the transfer.

IBAN account number Amsterdam NDSM
NL86 ABNA 0148 7524 89
(Name: Stichting Bouwinvest Dutch Institutional Residential Fund)

International payments
For international payments, you may need additional information. You can use the following bank information.
Name: ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Address: Gustav Mahlerlaan 10
City: Amsterdam
BIC: ABNANL2A

Any bank fees are to be borne by the student. Bank fees that are charged to Student Experience will be deducted from the rental payment.

Please note that our system requires at least one working day to process your online payment and update your payment overview. International payments may take up to 3 working days to process. For credit card payments, the duration varies depending on the customer's bank and may take up to two weeks before we receive the amount. Therefore, please ensure that credit card payments are completed at least two weeks in advance.

Always state your name, address, and customer number (KLxxxxxxxx) with the transfer. You can find your customer number in the service portal.

IBAN account number Amsterdam Zuidas
NL26 ABNA 0616 3626 33
(Name: RAVAM C V)

International payments
For international payments, you may need additional information. You can use the following bank information.
Name: ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Address: Gustav Mahlerlaan 10
City: Amsterdam
BIC: ABNANL2A

Any bank fees are to be borne by the student. Bank fees that are charged to Student Experience will be deducted from the rental payment.

Please note that our system requires at least one working day to process your online payment and update your payment overview. International payments may take up to 3 working days to process. For credit card payments, the duration varies depending on the customer's bank and may take up to two weeks before we receive the amount. Therefore, please ensure that credit card payments are completed at least two weeks in advance.

Always state your name, address, and customer number (KLxxxxxxxx) with the transfer. You can find your customer number in the service portal.

IBAN account number Leiden
IBAN: NL41 HSBC 1059 8820 02
Name: ESA More Coöperatief

International payments
For international payments, you may need additional information. You can use the following bank information.
Name: HSBC Bank B.V.
Address: De entree 247-249, 1101 HG
City: Amsterdam
BIC: HSBCNL2A

Any bank fees are to be borne by the student. Bank fees that are charged to Student Experience will be deducted from the rental payment.

Please note that our system requires at least one working day to process your online payment and update your payment overview. International payments may take up to 3 working days to process. For credit card payments, the duration varies depending on the customer's bank and may take up to two weeks before we receive the amount. Therefore, please ensure that credit card payments are completed at least two weeks in advance.

Always state your name, address, and customer number (KLxxxxxxxx) with the transfer. You can find your customer number in the service portal.

IBAN account number Madrid Pozuelo
ES06 0081 5161 6600 0137 8242
(Name: SCI Student Experience Real Estate III C.V.)

International payments
For international payments, you may need additional information. You can use the following bank information.
Name: BANCO DE SABADELL, S.A.
Address: Avenida Oscar Espla 37
City: Alicante, Spain
BIC: BSABESBBXXX

Any bank fees are to be borne by the student. Bank fees that are charged to Student Experience will be deducted from the rental payment.

Please note that our system requires at least one working day to process your online payment and update your payment overview. International payments may take up to 3 working days to process. For credit card payments, the duration varies depending on the customer's bank and may take up to two weeks before we receive the amount. Therefore, please ensure that credit card payments are completed at least two weeks in advance.

Always state your name, address, and customer number (KLxxxxxxxx) with the transfer. You can find your customer number in the service portal.

IBAN account number Granada
IBAN: ES17 0182 2359 0502 0160 0651
Beneficiary: SCI Student Experience Real Estate IV C.V.

International payments Granada
For international payments, you may need additional information. You can use the following bank information.
Bank Name: BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA S.A
Address: C. de Sauceda, 28, 28050
City: Madrid, Spain
BIC/SWIFT: BBVAESMMXXX

Any bank fees are to be borne by the student. Bank fees that are charged to Student Experience will be deducted from the rental payment.

Please note that our system requires at least one working day to process your online payment and update your payment overview. International payments may take up to 3 working days to process. For credit card payments, the duration varies depending on the customer's bank and may take up to two weeks before we receive the amount. Therefore, please ensure that credit card payments are completed at least two weeks in advance.

In Amsterdam Minervahaven, Madrid Pozuelo, and Granada, you stay in a fully furnished studio. All you need to do is unpack your suitcase and let the best time of your life begin!

Want to know what’s included per location? Check it out:

Amsterdam Minervahaven
Madrid Pozuelo
Granada

In Leiden, your studio is equipped with all large furnishing items, such as a bed, desk, a table with chairs, and more. Bring your own decorations to personalize your studio, and check out the IKEA basket we filled with all the essentials.

Want to know exactly which items are included? Check it out on the page of the location Leiden.

If you need some inspiration for decorating your furnished studio, check out this article.

At Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam NDSM, and Amsterdam Zuidas, you will stay in an unfurnished studio. You can let your creativity flow and personalize your studio in your own style :). Drilling is not permitted, but there are many different ways to decorate your studio and create more storage space; check out our tips here.

In unfurnished studios, you can even redo your floor by placing laminate flooring of a maximum thickness of 6 mm on top of the floor covering. When leaving your studio, you will need to return the floor to its original state.

Home is where the WiFi connects automatically. We're happy to help you set up your internet and your television. On this page, you'll learn how to set it up at your location. 

A private studio is a self-contained unit with its own kitchen and bathroom, offering full privacy, while a shared room means sharing a room (and usually the kitchen/bathroom too) with another person.

A student room is a private bedroom in a shared house with a communal kitchen and bathroom, while a student studio is a self-contained unit with its own private kitchen and bathroom. Student Experience only offers studios.

• Furnished studios: in our fully furnished (kitchen, bathroom, bed, desk, etc.) studios you can move in with just a suitcase. Regular private furnished studios exist but vary widely in quality/completeness and cost more.
• Unfurnished studios (private kitchen/bathroom only): you buy your own furniture, no drilling allowed. Regular unfurnished studios are similar but mostly without shared facilities or all-in service costs.

If there's something in your studio or a communal area that requires repair, please submit a repair request. You can schedule an appointment with the duty manager or authorize us to fix the issue even if you're not at home.

An overview of the repairs you requested (both for your studio and communal spaces) can be found here.

For emergencies, please call the duty manager directly. You can find their number in your service portal.

Are your neighbors causing disturbance with loud music or household waste? This is how you get it sorted!

1. Talk
It's important first to discuss the issue with your neighbors. They may not even be aware of the disturbance they're causing. Stay calm and friendly and be understanding of each other's situation. If this doesn't help, you can proceed to step 2.

2. Report a disturbance
If a conversation did not help solve the situation, you can report the disturbance to us. We will look at a fitting solution.

Do you have a complaint? Report it so that you can live carefree again. We will pick up your complaint as soon as possible.

Not a resident?
Are you experiencing a disturbance from one of our locations? Please contact us so that we can find a solution.

We've created practical guides on how to get medical help in the Netherlands and Spain. Are you in need of a medical service close to you? You can find more information about medical services on the 'For residents' page of your location.

Amsterdam Amstel
Amsterdam Minervahaven
Amsterdam NDSM
Amsterdam Zuidas
Leiden
Madrid Pozuelo
Granada

Have you seen our iconic rooftop sports fields and padel fields? They can be used for a game of urban football, basketball or a padel game in the sun. And, of course, you can use it to take the perfect Instagram photo during sunset.

Almost every Student Experience location has a sports field on the roof, each a different type or color:

Student Experience Amsterdam Amstel = Yellow
Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven = Black
Student Experience Amsterdam NDSM = Black
Student Experience Amsterdam Zuidas = Orange
Student Experience Madrid Pozuelo = White (padel court)
Student Experience Granada = Black (padel court)

As a Student Experience resident, you can use the rooftop facilities every day from 9 AM - 10 PM. A maximum of 50 people are allowed on the rooftop at once. Due to fire safety, smoking on the roof is prohibited.

Every Wednesday, Student Experience and FC Urban organize a football match on the rooftop sports field of every Student Experience location in Amsterdam.

With FC Urban, you can join a football match whenever it suits you, whether it’s with old acquaintances or new friends. The unique locations can be found throughout Amsterdam, from Museumplein to Oosterpark, and of course, at all Amsterdam locations of Student Experience.

As a resident of Student Experience, you can play with FC Urban everywhere for free. To register, just create an account. Even if you don’t live at Student Experience, you can still play football with FC Urban. Simply register for a match through the FC Urban website.