Finding a Room via Social Media
Rooms are often offered via social media such as Facebook where the current residents choose their new housemate themselves. What should you keep in mind when looking for a room via social media?
Which cities?
The number of rooms offered through social media varies by city. Generally, you'll find relatively many rooms available through social media in cities with more housing market pressure, such as Amsterdam and Utrecht. In these popular cities, groups of residents often choose their new housemate themselves. We've compiled an overview showing what percentage of rooms we find through each channel per city.
| City | Social Media | Anti-squat | Realtor |
|---|
| Amsterdam | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Rotterdam | 97% | 0% | 3% |
| Den Haag | 93% | 0% | 7% |
| Utrecht | 98% | 0% | 2% |
| Eindhoven | 83% | 0% | 17% |
| Tilburg | 88% | 0% | 11% |
| Breda | 64% | 0% | 35% |
| Groningen | 78% | 0% | 22% |
| Nijmegen | 97% | 0% | 3% |
| Maastricht | 33% | 0% | 67% |
| Leiden | 95% | 0% | 5% |
| Delft | 99% | 0% | 1% |
| City | Social Media | Anti-squat | Realtor |
|---|
| Amsterdam | €880 | €500 | €928 |
| Rotterdam | €666 | €331 | €713 |
| Den Haag | €1334 | - | €643 |
| Utrecht | €570 | €300 | €618 |
| Eindhoven | €493 | - | €618 |
| Tilburg | €441 | €308 | €587 |
| Breda | €537 | €250 | €568 |
| Groningen | €2369 | €300 | €626 |
| Nijmegen | €465 | - | €543 |
| Maastricht | €493 | - | €616 |
| Leiden | €484 | - | €678 |
| Delft | €527 | - | €594 |
What does it cost?
Rental prices vary by city, but generally rooms offered through social media are slightly cheaper. We've compiled an overview showing the average room price per city and per channel based on all rooms we've found.
How does it work?
Rooms are often offered via social media such as Facebook where the current residents choose their new housemate themselves. Usually, the landlord doesn't live in the house and doesn't need to have a say in choosing the new resident.
Houses where residents choose a new housemate themselves are often close-knit. The residents eat together one or more evenings per week, do fun things together, and are well-informed about each other's lives. That's why they want someone they click with, as they'll likely be living with that person for a while.
Therefore, residents often set certain requirements, for example someone older than 25 because they themselves are also older, or a woman because only women live in the house.
That's why residents organize 'hospitaties': they invite you for a meeting to see if there's a connection between you and your potential new housemates. Usually, about ten people are invited for the viewing. It could be that all candidates come at the same time for a one to two-hour conversation. But it could also be that candidates are invited one by one or in smaller groups for a shorter meeting of about half an hour.
For a close-knit group of residents looking for a new resident, who you are plays a major role. If you're looking for a social, friendly living space, searching via social media is definitely suitable for you. However, keep in mind that viewings are sometimes experienced as stressful popularity contests.
When searching for a room via social media, it's important to have a "hospitatiebrief" ready in which you present yourself well. Read our guide on writing a good "hospitatie" introduction letter to increase your chances. Furthermore, it's essential to respond as quickly as possibleto all relevant advertisements for available rooms. With a Room Ranger account, you'll effortlessly stay informed about all new listings first and can therefore send your hospitatiebrief lightning-fast.
Summary of rooms via social media:
- Most availability in popular cities
- On average cheaper than other channels
- Often in houses with close-knit groups of residents who do a lot together
- The new resident is chosen by the group of residents
- Meeting via 'hospitatie' with residents
- Choice is based on social requirements, such as 'fitting in with the group'
- Have a good hospitatiebrief ready
- Make sure you're one of the first to respond