How does it work?
Read more about how buying your own room or studio via StudentenkamerKopen.nl works here.
1. Why buy a student room?
Buying a student room offers several advantages:
- Cost savings: Often, the monthly fee is lower than renting a studio or flat.
- Asset accumulation: The room may increase in value, which could give you a financial advantage after you graduate.
- Quality: Self-ownership gives control over things like energy efficiency, which can mean lower energy costs compared to rented rooms with poor energy labels.
2. Financing options without fixed income
Buying a student room offers several advantages:
- Cost savings: Often, the monthly fee is lower than renting a studio or flat.
- Asset accumulation: The room may increase in value, which could give you a financial advantage after you graduate.
- Quality: Self-ownership gives control over things like energy efficiency, which can mean lower energy costs compared to rented rooms with poor energy labels.
2.1 What does it cost?
- Standard annuity mortgage: About €673.57 a month in interest and repayments.
- Repayment-free mortgage: About €437.50 a month in interest, with no repayment.
In many cases, this makes buying more financially attractive than renting.
2.2 Potential increase in value
Besides lower monthly costs, owning your own student room also offers the opportunity to build wealth. With an annual increase in value of 4% on average, a room can be worth around €25,000 more after four years.
2.3 Key concerns
Mortgage lending: It is not possible to mortgage student rooms directly. Parents can, for example, put the room in their own name or use savings, surplus value or money from their own limited company.
Market-based interest rate: For loans within the family, it is mandatory to agree on a market-based interest rate to claim the mortgage interest deduction, but parents can donate part of this interest back to support their child financially.
2.4 Conclusion
While buying a student room without a fixed income can seem challenging, it is certainly achievable with the right approach. Making smart use of financing options such as family assistance, surplus value or a repayment-free mortgage can make it a worthwhile investment. It is important to plan well, and seek expert advice where necessary.
Want to know what financing options are available to you? Click the button below for no-obligation mortgage advice from our partner Veldsink!
3. The selection procedure
Buying a student room is not only a financial decision, but also a social one. After all, you share the house with fellow students, which can create a pleasant and stimulating living environment. This is why we have set up a careful selection procedure, so you know exactly who you will soon be sharing a house with.
3.1. Initial composition
We start by making an initial compilation of residents. In doing so, we look at:
- Availability of rooms: Which rooms are available and which layout fits?
- Student background: We take into account study, interests and personal preferences to put together a balanced group.
- This ensures that everyone has a good chance of a pleasant match within the house.
3.2. Introduction evening
Once the initial composition is made, we will invite all those selected to an introductory evening. Here you will meet the other future residents and their families, such as parents, siblings.
During this evening, you will have the opportunity to get to know each other better, ask questions, and discuss how you want to share the house together.
The purpose of this evening is to see if there is a good click between all involved. After all, a nice atmosphere in the house starts with a nice group of people.
3.3. final decision
After the introductory evening, you will have a day to reflect.
- Do you think there is a good match and would like to move forward together?
- The next day, you can let us know if you want to go ahead with the purchase of your student room permanently.
3.4. The result
When you decide to buy the room, you know exactly who you will share the house with. This provides a unique combination of security and a nice social environment, where you can live and study to the best of your ability.
Want to know more about how the selection process works or which rooms are available? Feel free to contact us!
4. Reselling your student room/studio
Selling your student room is a flexible and thoughtful process, protecting both your interests and those of the current co-owners. Here we explain step by step how it works and how the balance between community and freedom is ensured.
4.1. Sale to co-owners
When you decide to sell your student room, it will first be offered to the current co-owners in the property. This is done at the market price.
- Why? This protects the community and allows co-owners to decide who will live in the property.
- Market price guarantee: As a seller, you are guaranteed to receive the market price regardless of who the buyer is.
4.2. No interest from co-owners?
- Introduction to an external buyer:
- The potential buyer is invited to an introductory meeting with the current residents. This is similar to a hospice evening, as is common with standard student rooms.
- Residents can give their views on the new buyer so they feel heard in the decision.
- Right of acquisition by co-owners:
- If the residents are not satisfied with the proposed buyer, they will have one more opportunity to take over the room themselves at the market price.
- No takeover? If the co-owners waive this option, you are free to sell the room to the outside buyer.
4.3. Why this approach?
This method strikes a balance between flexibility for you as a seller and participation for the community:
- Participation for residents: The co-owners have plenty of opportunities to voice their opinions on who will move into the property.
- Freedom for you: At the same time, your freedom to sell remains guaranteed. You are not restricted from reselling your room even if the community does not use their right of takeover.
5. How it works: establishing value
The price of a student room may seem high at first glance, this is because of the many investments and works required to create high-quality, energy-efficient and future-proof housing. In addition, you get more than just the studio itself, contributing to a spacious and comfortable living experience. Here, we explain everything step by step.
5.1. Licences and regulations
To make a property suitable for student accommodation, various permits and approvals are required. These include:
- Building and conversion permits to convert the property to multiple high-end residential units.
- Conversion licences to change the use of the property.
- Environmental and energy inspections required to meet the strictest sustainability standards.
These routes are time-consuming and costly, but essential to achieve a safe and high-quality housing project.
5.2. Thorough renovation: Only the outer walls remain
- The building will be completely gutted, with practically only the outer walls remaining.
- It is then rebuilt with:
- Extended insulation for an energy-efficient home.
- Sustainable technologies, such as solar panels, WTW units and HR++ glass.
- Modern comfort, with high-quality finishes and safe installations.
The result is a building with a highly economical energy label, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also results in lower energy costs for residents.
5.3. Inner-city building entails additional costs
The urban location makes construction more logistically challenging and expensive:
- Parking charges for construction vehicles:
A 5-month conversion requires an average of 3 vans, 5 days a week. This increases parking costs to about €15,000 just for parking. - Limited space:
Inner-city sites often have limited building space, creating additional challenges and costs. - Labour-intensive:
Craftsmen work on the project for months to make everything to the highest standard.
5.4. Comparison with single-family houses
Similar single-family houses in inner-city areas often sell for amounts around €800,000. By splitting the property into several studios, it is made more affordable and accessible to students, while applying the same building quality and energy standards.
5.5. Your housing experience is bigger than you think
The area shown on the website does not include communal areas such as corridors, storage rooms, the garden and other general facilities. This means that your total living experience is bigger than just the studio itself, of course you pay (indirectly) for these facilities which brings extra comfort.
