You’re eligible for reserved housing, if you’re an exchange student, a first-year degree student from outside the EEA or have used one of our agents to apply. Keep in mind that supply of these accommodations is limited and demand highly exceeds supply. We work with two housing organisations: SSH and Xior. You'll find their application procedures below. Be sure to apply as soon as possible before they’re fully booked.

Xior Student Housing

At the Willem Dreeslaan 113 in Utrecht, we offer a limited number of first-floor rooms. These rooms are for a fixed period. You can’t extend the term of your rental agreement after this period has ended. You'll have to arrange new accommodation yourself if you want to stay in Utrecht.

If you are interested in one of the rooms offered by Xior, send an email to housing@hu.nl. We will send you further information on how to apply and a log-in code. This code allows you to register with this housing organisation and apply for any available accommodation. Xior charges a registration fee of € 25 (non-refundable).

After you have applied for a room, we will do a final check to make sure you are a student at the HU and are eligible for reserved housing. If both of these are the case, your room will be confirmed.

Status Xior housing

All rooms at Xior are currently fully booked. We advise you to look for your own accommodation, using our tips you can find here: Housing - TIPS. If you have any questions or if you would like to be placed on our waiting list please send an email to housing@hu.nl.

SSH Student Housing for short stay

SSH Short Stay offers a limited number of rooms for either Spring or Fall semester or the Full Year. Check the rooms on the SSH-website. The rooms are for a fixed period of 5 or 10 months. After this period has ended, you have to arrange new accommodation yourself if you want to stay in Utrecht. SSH also has long-term rooms on offer. You can find more info about this and other tips on our page about finding your own housing.

The application procedure starts with your registration at SSH. Registration is free of charge. After your application has been approved, you can start booking a room. Simply follow the steps below.  Once you’ve submitted a reservation, you pay a fee of € 95.

Registering for a room does not guarantee a room. The amount of students applying exceeds the rooms available, so make sure to register on time. Only after completing all 4 steps below will your room be reserved.

Status SSH Short Stay

Pre-registration will start on 29 October 2024. The booking application for the Spring Semester 2025 opens on 12 November 10am CET. Make sure you are ready to book your room at the exact moment it opens up, so finish your pre-registration in time. If you have any questions about reserved housing please send an email to housing@hu.nl.

How to apply for SSH Short Stay

To register, go to SSH Short Stay's registration website and fill in your details. SSH Short Stay will send you an email confirming your registration. Registration is free.

HU's International Office needs to approve your application. All new housing registrations need to be made by international students registered at the HU and who are eligible for reserved housing via SSH. Once your application has been approved, SSH will send you an email containing a password. With this password, you can start your search for a room (step 3).

Log in at My SSH and find an accommodation that suits your needs.

Once you have found the right accommodation, you make a reservation and transfer your down payment. Once your down payment is received by SSH, your reservation will be finalised.

Your down payment consists of the rent for the first and the last month, the reservation fee of € 95 and a cleaning fee. The down payment is non-refundable. 

By finalising a reservation with SSH, you agree to the terms and conditions stated on the SSH website.

Already start searching for a room for next year

After your first year as a degree student is over, you can no longer live in reserved housing. We strongly advise you to immediately start looking for accommodations for the coming year(s). You can already register with SSH, who has waiting list of around 20 months. Visit our page about finding your own housing for more information.

Quick facts

  • Accommodations are in short supply and allocated on a first come, first serve basis. So apply as soon as you can.
  • Housing via these organisations is for fixed periods of 5, 10 or 12 months only.
  • For rent, expect to pay between € 348 and € 991 per month.
  • You are expected to clean your own accommodation during your stay.
  • You can buy bedlinen from both organisations when you arrive.
  • If you are a non-EEA Bachelor’s degree student make sure to start searching for a room for your second year as soon as possible. After your first year you will no longer be eligible for reserved housing. Read more about finding your own housing.
  • If all our reserved rooms are fully booked, you'll need to find your own housing. So make sure to apply on time! Read more about finding your own housing.
  • Check the housing organisation website to see what's included with your room. For example: SSH kitchens are equipped with a few basic kitchen appliances, such as a refrigerator, freezer and kettle. However, other kitchen utilities such as pans, cutlery and dishes are not included.

Changing your registration

You can change your personal details or preferred rental period via SSHXL. Please note, if you change your rental period, SSH will ask HU for confirmation again. If you already have a reservation, you may lose your place for a room.

Cancelling your accommodation

Please be aware of the following when booking a room at SSH: Your down payment consists of the rent for the first and the last month, the reservation fee and a cleaning fee. The down payment is non-refundable.

As stated in the terms and conditions, cancellation or reduction after the start of the rental period is not permitted, apart from cases provided for by article 2.8. This means that you are responsible for the payment of the entire rental period, even if you don't use the accommodation.