The cost to students of renting a room in the private sector has risen by an average 12.5% over the past year, according to figures from the Netherlands’ largest accommodation agency, Kamernet.

In early 2011, students were paying an average €358 per month for a room. That average has now risen to €403, says Kamernet.
In 2008, when the agency first carried out its research, the price was around €329.
However, the number of rooms available in the private sector has increased by 28.2%. Housing organisations have also increased their student room supply, with 6,000 being built or under construction since last year.
Graduation

Kamernet says it thinks the price increase has to do with students graduating faster, in fear of their grants coming to an end or of a fine for taking too long. ‘Some of them move back to their parent’s home and landlords take the opportunity to raise rents,’ Kamernet told the Volkskrant.
In a reaction, Pascal ten Have of student union LSVb told the paper that a 12.5% rise is 10% above inflation and makes renting a room financially impossible for a large group of students.
The LSVb says 30,000 to 60,000 extra rooms are needed to deal with the student housing shortage.
Rent tribunal
Minister Gerd Leers, standing in for home affairs minister Liesbeth Spies, said in a reaction students should complain to rent tribunals if they feel their rooms are too expensive.
The government is currently carrying out its own research into the cost of student accommodation which will be published in September, he said.