Budget carefully – allow for council tax and the cost the cost of your utility bills, which you’ll normally have to pay for. However, if it’s a short-term let, the council tax and some utilities may be included in the rent.

You can find out the cost of council tax from your local authority (Gemeente) and get quotes from house insurers to cover your personal possessions. As with most insurance companies, make sure you get like for like comparisons to see if your are getting the best deal.

Once you think you have found somewhere you like, things to ask the agent are:

• What bills (if any) are included in the rent?
• Are there any charges i.e. service costs for the cleaning of communal areas etc?
• How much is the deposit and from when can the rent be reviewed?
• If you are a student, and/or receiving student finance or a housing allowance, will you be considered?
• Will a guarantor be accepted?
• How long will your tenancy agreement be for? Can the tenancy agreement be extended or broken?
• Is the rent negotiable, how keen is the landlord on renting out the property?