Looking for a rental home in Amsterdam? We will find it for you.
We are expats ourselves. We know the stress, the bad experiences, and the feeling of not knowing where to start. That is exactly why we do this. Think of us as the local friend you wish you had from day one.
expats housed
average search
of experience
from referrals
Amsterdam's boutique housing agency, run by local expats.
We have been in your shoes, know what you are looking for, and simply treat you the way we want to be treated.
We can help you
Household income €80.000 and up
Rental budget €2200 and up
Singles, couples, and families
Rentals for 12+ months
Outside our scope
Household income below €80.000
Rental budget below €2200
Students & guarantors
Short term rentals
You are still abroad.
We handle everything before you arrive.
About half of our clients contact us while they are still in another country. We understand how hard it is to trust someone you have never met with one of the biggest decisions of your move. That is exactly why we do a video call first, so you can see who you are working with. From there, we handle remote viewings, talk to landlords and agents on your behalf, and make sure your home is ready when you land. You do not need a Dutch bank account, a BSN, or any local documents to get started.
You are already here.
We come to every viewing with you.
If you have already been to a few viewings on your own, you know how fast things move and how little information you actually get. We come to every single viewing with you, ask the questions you would not think of, and tell you honestly whether a place is worth it. You get someone next to you who has seen hundreds of apartments in this city and knows exactly what to look for.
01
Tell us about your situation
Fill in the short form below. It takes about 2 minutes. Tell us when you are moving, what you are looking for, and what your budget is. That is all we need to get started.
02
We have a free video call
If your profile is a good fit, we schedule a free video intake call. We listen to what matters to you, your lifestyle, your daily routine, what you need from a home. Based on that, we recommend the neighbourhoods we think suit you best. We know this city inside out, and we use that to guide you. But we also tell you exactly what to expect. We are honest about the market, realistic about timelines, and clear about what is achievable. No utopias. Just a shared plan we both believe in.
Free, 30 minutes, no commitment
03
We search and shortlist on your behalf
Once we start, we set up a WhatsApp group where we communicate directly. You can ask us anything, not just about the search but about Amsterdam itself: neighbourhoods, restaurants, taxes, schools, traditions. Meanwhile, we monitor the market daily and tap our network of landlords and agents. When something matches your brief, we move fast. We come to every viewing with you, or do video viewings if you are still abroad. We handle all negotiations and take care of the paperwork. You are involved in every decision. We just make sure you have as little friction as possible.
Average search: 3.5 weeks
04
You get the keys. We stay in touch.
Once we have found your home, we guide you through the contract review and signing. On move-in day, we hand you the keys and do a thorough check-in inspection, documenting the condition of the property so you are never held liable for anything that was there before you moved in. After that, we help you set up utilities, internet, health insurance (mandatory in the Netherlands), home and liability insurance, and a phone plan. We stay available for anything that comes up. Six months from now, you will wonder how you ever worried about this.
Foreigners ourselves
We have been in your shoes.
That is why we do this.
We moved to Amsterdam from abroad and went through the exact same search you are facing now. The confusion, the speed of the market, the contracts in Dutch. That experience is the reason we started Amsterdam Life Homes. Eight years and 250+ successful searches later, we have built a dedicated team around us that knows this market inside out. Every client works with us personally, supported by people who care about getting it right.
OUR CLIENTS WORK AT
What you pay
Our fee
One month's rent + 21% VAT
This includes everything: the search, viewings, negotiations, contract review, move-in inspection, and full support after you get the keys, utilities, internet, TV, home and liability insurance, health insurance, and a phone plan setup.
From the moment we start, our team personally searches for your home every day. But it is not just the search. It is eight years of knowing which streets are quiet, which buildings have good landlords, and which neighbourhoods actually fit the way you live. That kind of knowledge does not show up on a listing.
Most expats who search alone spend weeks or months, get frustrated and anxious, and still end up compromising. With us, you do not have to. We do the searching, the calling, the scheduling, and the negotiating. You just show up to the viewings or watch the video tours we send you and make the final call.
To get started
Deposit
After the intake call, once we both agree to work together and we have confirmed that all your documents are valid, you pay a deposit of 605 EUR and we start the search. It is a two-way commitment: you show you are serious, and we commit to not stopping until we have found you a home. The deposit is non-refundable, includes VAT, and goes directly toward your total fee.
When you sign
Remaining balance
When we have found your home and you sign the rental contract, the remaining fee becomes due. The full amount is paid before check-in. The 605 EUR deposit is deducted from the total.
No home found?
No further payment
If we do not find you a home, you pay nothing beyond the deposit. We only earn our full fee when we deliver a result. In eight years, every client who stayed with us found a home.
Services
Explore our other services
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Dutch bank account or BSN to get started?
No. You do not need a Dutch bank account or a BSN (citizen service number) to sign a lease or to work with us. A simple wire transfer is enough to pay the deposit and the fee. We help many clients who are still abroad and do not yet have any Dutch documents.
How do I pay the deposit and the fee?
By wire transfer. You can pay from any bank account in the world. We will send you an invoice with our bank details after the intake call, once we have agreed to work together.
How long does it usually take to find a home?
On average, about three and a half weeks. Some searches are faster, some take longer. It depends on your budget, requirements, and the time of year. We will give you an honest estimate during the intake call.
What if I am still abroad?
No problem at all. Most of our clients find and sign their home before they arrive in Amsterdam. We arrange remote viewings, handle everything with landlords and agents, and make sure your home is ready when you land.
What documents do I need?
Typically you need a valid ID or passport, an employment contract or proof of income, and recent payslips. We will check all your documents before we start the search so there are no surprises later.
Can I bring my pet?
Enterprise plans include priority support, dedicated onboarding, and optional service-level agreements (SLAs) to ensure smooth implementation and ongoing success.