3. Wonen in Nederland — the country, housing and daily utilities

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Topic map: geography and the EU → water and flood protection → public transport → renting and buying → waste → energy, water and internet.

What you should be able to do in the exam

You should recognise the provinces and main cities, understand the importance of water, plan a public-transport journey, know the main routes into rented or owned housing, follow waste rules and handle basic choices concerning energy and communication providers.

1. The Netherlands on the map

The Netherlands is in Europe. Germany lies to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the west and north.

Four largest cities and the Randstad

• Amsterdam — the capital and largest city.
• Rotterdam — the second city and home to Europe's largest port.
• Den Haag — the seat of government and parliament.
• Utrecht — a major city in the centre of the country.

These four cities form the western urban region known as the Randstad.

Twelve provinces and their capitals

A useful memory grouping:

• north: Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe;
• east: Overijssel, Gelderland;
• centre: Utrecht, Flevoland;
• west: Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Zeeland;
• south: Noord-Brabant, Limburg.

European Union

The Netherlands belongs to the Europese Unie (EU). EU citizens can more easily live, work, study and travel in other EU countries. Many countries use the euro. The EU also makes joint rules on the economy, the environment, migration and other matters; the Netherlands must follow the common decisions.

2. A country with a great deal of water

Almost one fifth of the Netherlands is water. Important features include:

• the Noordzee;
• the Waddenzee and Waddeneilanden, with Texel as the largest island;
• the IJsselmeer, separated from the former sea by the Afsluitdijk;
• the Rijn, entering from Germany;
• the Maas, entering from Belgium;
• urban canals, especially in historic centres.

A large part of the western Netherlands lies below sea level. The lowest point is near Rotterdam, around seven metres below sea level.

Benefits of water

• a major port and international trade;
• transport of goods along rivers;
• expertise in bridges, ships, dams and dikes;
• agriculture on reclaimed land.

How the country is protected

Flevoland consists almost entirely of polder land. Because water is everywhere, most children learn to swim when young.

Delta Works

In 1953 a major flood affected Zeeland, Zuid-Holland and Noord-Brabant and killed more than 1,800 people. The government then implemented the Deltaplan and built a system of dikes, dams and movable storm barriers: the Deltawerken, especially in Zeeland. Some barriers normally remain open and close only when the sea becomes dangerously high.

3. Public transport

Public transport includes train, bus, tram and metro. A journey may require you to overstappen, or transfer.

Planning a journey

• Use the NS website or app for trains.
• Use 9292 for a combination of transport types.
• Enter the starting point, destination and preferred departure or arrival time.
• The app shows the route, price, transfers and delays.

Paying

You can use an OV-chipkaart or a suitable bank card.

1. Inchecken before travelling.
2. Uitchecken after travelling.
3. Keep sufficient balance where required.
4. Forgetting to check out can make the journey more expensive.

Frequent travellers can buy subscriptions. Travel outside the rush hour may be cheaper with an off-peak product.

4. Finding a home

First accommodation

• A person arriving to join a partner normally lives with the partner.
• An asylum seeker may first stay in an AZC.
• A status holder may receive a first home through the municipality and usually has little choice.

Private rental sector

With a sufficiently high income, you can search through a private landlord or estate agent. Rent is generally higher and the conditions depend on the property and contract.

Social housing

Social housing is intended for people who meet income and other conditions.

The normal route is:

1. register as a woningzoekende with one or more housing associations;
2. wait and respond to available homes;
3. meet rules concerning household size, income and other criteria;
4. view the home and accept an offer.

In an exceptional urgent situation, the municipality may issue an urgentieverklaring, but only a limited number of people qualify.

Rental contract: rights and duties

The contract states:

• the rent and payment date;
• the duration and termination rules;
• the tenant's duties;
• repairs and maintenance for which the landlord is responsible;
• other rules for using the home.

A landlord cannot simply end a tenancy without a legal reason and procedure.

Complaint about a landlord

1. First report the problem to the landlord in writing.
2. Keep letters, photographs and invoices.
3. If it is not resolved, contact the Huurcommissie or obtain legal help, depending on the type of tenancy and dispute.

Rent allowance

Some tenants whose income, rent and accommodation meet the conditions can receive huurtoeslag from the Tax Administration. Changes in income or living arrangements must be reported.

Buying a home

• Most buyers borrow through a hypotheek.
• The possible mortgage depends on income and finances.
• An estate agent can help find a property and make a bid.
• A civil-law notary completes the legal transfer.
• Owners pay municipal OZB, linked to the assessed value of the home.
• Paid-parking areas may also involve parking tax.

5. Waste

The municipality sets the system, so container colours and collection days differ.

Main categories

• gft: vegetable, fruit and garden waste;
• paper;
• plastic and packaging where collected separately;
• glass;
• residual waste;
• clothing;
• chemical waste such as batteries.

Important rules

• Do not leave waste beside a full container; a fine is possible.
• Household containers may be put outside only on the permitted day or the evening before.
• Flats often use shared street containers.
• Bulky waste such as a sofa must go to a special site or be collected by appointment; a fee may apply.
• Many bottles and cans carry statiegeld, refunded when returned.
• Batteries and chemicals do not belong in residual waste.

Municipal charges

• afvalstoffenheffing — charge for waste collection;
• rioolheffing — charge for sewerage and wastewater.

People with a low income may sometimes receive a reduction or waiver.

6. Energy, water, maintenance and internet

Energy contract

You choose your own energy supplier.

You normally pay a monthly advance. Once a year the jaarrekening shows:

• whether you used more than you paid for and must pay extra;
• whether you used less and receive money back;
• whether the new monthly advance will change.

Meter readings

Gas, electricity and water readings may be required when moving, changing supplier or when requested. A smart meter can send data automatically after permission is given.

Outage or fault

• Check whether the problem concerns one appliance, the home or the whole neighbourhood.
• Do not take risks with gas or electricity.
• Contact the supplier or national fault number where appropriate.

Water

The regional water company is normally fixed and cannot be chosen. It sends separate bills and may request a water-meter reading.

Saving resources

• lower the heating;
• switch off lights;
• take shorter showers and close the tap;
• wash at a lower temperature with a full machine;
• choose energy-efficient appliances.

Maintenance responsibility

• In an owned home, the owner arranges and pays for maintenance such as the boiler, plumber or electrician.
• In a rented home, major maintenance is normally the landlord's responsibility; small repairs are often the tenant's. Report problems promptly.

Internet and telephone

You choose the provider. Compare price, contract duration, speed, whether a device is included and cancellation conditions.

Commonly confused ideas

Common exam traps

• Amsterdam is the capital, but the government is in Den Haag.
• Flevoland is largely polder land.
• Public transport requires both checking in and checking out.
• Waste rules differ by municipality; waste may not be left beside a container.
• A tenant first reports a complaint to the landlord.
• Not every tenant receives rent allowance.
• The water company is usually regional, while the energy supplier is chosen by the consumer.
• An annual energy bill can lead either to an extra payment or a refund.

Active recall

1. Name the four largest cities and the role of each.
2. What are the capitals of Zuid-Holland and Noord-Holland?
3. What is a polder?
4. Why were the Delta Works built?
5. How does a dike differ from a dam?
6. What can happen if you forget to check out?
7. How does a social-housing search begin?
8. What is included in a rental contract?
9. Whom do you contact first about poor maintenance?
10. What is statiegeld?
11. How does afvalstoffenheffing differ from rioolheffing?
12. What does the annual energy bill show?
13. Can you choose the water company?
14. Who normally handles major maintenance in a rented home?

Based on chapter 3 of the book, printed pages 57–80.