Transfer hundreds of euros in deposit and rent for a room that does not exist or is already occupied. It happened to Master’s student Juraj from Slovakia, who found himself in front of a closed door upon arrival in the Geuzenbuurt in Amsterdam-West. From a hostel he urgently searches for a place to live. “I have to say the scammers were pretty good.”
And he was careful: Juraj from Slovakia asked for photos and a video call with a current resident before he settled with his new landlord. “And I looked up the address on Google Maps to see if it looked like the photos.” This is all right, Juraj thought. And transferred one month’s rent and extra amount for the deposit. Total: 1400 euros.
Soon after, the thunder started. The first payment failed and after the assignment succeeded the second time, the landlord asked for even more money: supposedly to arrange the registration with the municipality.
Juraj refused. From then on, the landlord is no longer heard from. When you arrive in Amsterdam, nobody opens the door. Inquiries with the neighbors show that the address has been occupied by other people for ages. No one recognizes the photo of the current resident whom Juraj had called.
‘Harder than London’
Juraj is used to something when it comes to looking for rooms. “I did my bachelor’s degree in London, which is also difficult. I had no idea it would be even more difficult here.”
They hear stories like Juraj’s more often at student union ASVA. “We see this every year. Although this is a very extreme case,” says driver Bor van Zeeland. “But I think this happens dozens of times every summer.”
He recommends never paying for rooms that have not been viewed in person. “Even if that means that you have to travel to the Netherlands one more time.” And students can have the conditions of their rental contracts checked by ASVA and the !WOON foundation.
With the increasing demand for student rooms, ASVA thinks it is not smart to let even more international students come to the Netherlands. “Minister Dijkgraaf also has plans for this, but then the outgoing cabinet must decide not to declare those plans controversial.” The municipality can also do more, says Van Zeeland: build more student housing.
No room? Stay at home
Juraj is now staying in a hostel, and hopes to find something. Time is running out: his master’s will start next week. He grumbles, but doesn’t blame himself. “I’ve been very careful every step of the way. I have to say the scammers were just pretty good.” Then, with a tentative laugh: “Better than most.”
The ASVA and the Amsterdam educational institutions call on international students without housing not to come to the Netherlands. “No matter how blunt that is.” According to Van Zeeland, students who deregister in time will receive a refund of their tuition fees.