Buying an apartment in the Netherlands is different from buying a house and comes with additional rules, shared responsibilities, and monthly costs.
Domek guides you through every important aspect of buying an apartment in the Netherlands — from the VvE and building condition to the mortgage and purchase process itself.
In this article
- What is different when buying an apartment?
- What is a VvE and why does it matter?
- Leasehold land (erfpacht)
- Renovation and maintenance considerations
- Neighbours and soundproofing
- Calculate your mortgage capacity
- The all-in-one service for internationals
What is different when buying an apartment?
When you buy an apartment in the Netherlands, you are usually not buying only the apartment itself. You also become co-owner of the building together with the other apartment owners.
That means certain areas and installations are shared, including:
- hallways;
- elevators;
- roofs;
- staircases;
- parking garages;
- installations and technical systems;
- exterior walls.
Because of this, apartment ownership comes with extra rules, shared decisions, and monthly costs that are different from buying a house. Domek helps you understand these details before you place an offer, so you know what you are committing to.
What is a VvE and why does it matter?
The VvE (“Vereniging van Eigenaren”) is the owners’ association responsible for managing and maintaining the building.
In practice, the quality of the VvE can have a huge impact on your future experience as an owner.
A healthy and well-organized VvE often means:
- better maintenance;
- fewer unexpected problems;
- stable financial reserves;
- a building where the house rules, known as the huishoudelijk reglement, are respected.
On the other hand, in a VvE with poor management, conflicts, delayed repairs, and unexpected extra costs can appear.
Before buying, it is important to investigate:
- the monthly VvE contribution;
- whether enough money is reserved for future repairs;
- if major renovations are planned;
- whether there are debts within the association;
- and how active and organized the VvE is.
Monthly VvE contributions usually include:
- elevator and hallway maintenance;
- shared cleaning and utility costs;
- parking garage fees;
- contributions toward future building repairs.
A low monthly contribution may seem attractive at first, but sometimes it simply means the building is underfunded.
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Renovation and maintenance considerations
When viewing an apartment, it is normal to focus mainly on the interior. However, the condition of the building can be just as important.
Before buying, it is smart to investigate:
- the age of the roof and windows;
- the condition of shared spaces;
- planned renovations;
- elevator maintenance;
- insulation quality;
- sustainability improvements planned by the VvE.
The real costs of an apartment do not stop at the purchase price and moving costs. At Domek, we help you look at the full picture before you make a decision.
Leasehold land (erfpacht)
Some apartments in the Netherlands are built on leasehold land (“erfpacht”). This means you own the apartment itself, but not always the land underneath the building.
Depending on the municipality and the agreement, this can involve additional monthly or yearly payments.
Before buying, it is important to check:
- whether leasehold applies;
- how long the agreement lasts;
- whether payments can increase in the future;
- what conditions apply if you later sell the property.
Neighbours and soundproofing
One of the biggest differences between living in a house and living in an apartment is how close you are to your neighbours.
Before buying, find out:
- whether the building is quiet or noisy;
- whether soundproofing improvements between apartments have already been done or are planned;
- how much traffic noise there is;
- and whether the general atmosphere in the building is calm.
Small details often say a lot. A well-kept entrance, clean hallways, and respectful neighbours usually indicate that peace and house rules are respected.
If possible, try speaking with some of the existing neighbours before or after the viewing. They can often share useful insights about the building, noise levels, maintenance, and daily life that may not appear in official documents or property listings.
At Domek, we are with you at property viewings to help you notice and learn the details that matter, so you can make a well-informed decision.
Interested in an apartment? Start here
Are you interested in buying the apartment you are currently renting? Did you see an interesting apartment online? It is smart to first understand your mortgage capacity.
At Domek, we are with you throughout the entire process — from the mortgage calculation to obtaining the loan, arranging insurance, and handling all formalities connected to buying the apartment.
Do you work through an agency, have a temporary contract, or are you self-employed (ZZP)? In many cases, you can still obtain a mortgage in the Netherlands.
The all-in-one service for internationals
At Domek, we make arranging a loan or mortgage in the Netherlands simple and stress-free.
With more than 15 years of experience and a team of 100+ professionals, we help internationals understand their options, choose the right lender, and move through the process with confidence.
From the first mortgage calculation to the final property transfer, our advisors support you every step of the way — including the mortgage application, insurance, and all formalities connected to the purchase..
Call us today at 088 1021 500, send an email to info@domek.nl, or fill in the contact form.
