If you don't want to commit to a permanent residence yet or be tied to a mortgage, renting is a great solution. The range of (social) rental properties in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen is broad. There are homes for rent in all shapes and sizes. The waiting lists are not long compared to the rest of the Netherlands.
Social housing
There are many different types of social housing available for rent. Whether you’ve just returned from studying and want to rent with your partner as a first step, are following a vocational course and want to live independently, are single and working, retired, or have a family—every type of home can be found in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Registration is easy via the housing corporations. In Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, we have three major housing corporations:
Woongoed Zeeuws-Vlaanderen
Woongoed Zeeuws-Vlaanderen owns and manages around 6,000 homes. You can rent a property from this housing corporation in forty towns and villages throughout Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. In addition to renting out homes, they also regularly sell properties. On their website you will find information about their property portfolio and services.
Woonstichting Hulst
Woonstichting Hulst offers a choice of more than 1,500 social rental homes in the Hulst area. The housing stock consists of various types of homes: family homes, senior residences, assisted living units, and apartments in different towns, neighborhoods, and price ranges.
Some homes also have a care provider involved. Comfortable housing in a protected environment, with care close at hand if needed, is highly valued by many tenants. You can find more information on their website.
Clavis
Clavis rents out approximately 2,500 homes in Terneuzen and Sluiskil, centrally located in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and close to all amenities. At Clavis, you can enjoy living in an apartment (with or without care) or a family home. There is a choice of different price ranges: from social housing to private sector rentals. More information can be found on their website.
Regular rentals
There are also various providers of regular rental properties in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. These homes can be found, for example, through different real estate agents. An initial overview can be found on Funda. But be sure to contact local real estate agents for more information.
Student return scheme
Woongoed Zeeuws-Vlaanderen has a student return scheme. With this scheme, they increase the chances for young people to come and live, work, and possibly start a family in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Students who want to return to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen after their studies can register with Woongoed Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. They will then receive priority over other home seekers. Woongoed Zeeuws-Vlaanderen aims to offer a home within four months.
Priority for trainee GPs and teachers
Woongoed Zeeuws-Vlaanderen offers a special arrangement for teachers and GPs (in training) who come to work in the region and need a home quickly. This arrangement, which is part of their social role to enhance the livability of the region, gives these professionals priority in finding a home.
A selection of the social rental housing available in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen can be seen below:
Frequently asked questions about renting in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen
Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about searching for and renting a home in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen
1. What types of rental properties are available in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen?
In Zeeuws-Vlaanderen you will find a wide range of rental properties: from apartments in city centers such as Terneuzen and Hulst to spacious family homes in villages and rural areas. There are both social rental properties and private and free sector rentals available. You can find more information on the page above.
2. How do I qualify for a social rental home in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen?
For social rental properties, you must be registered with one or more housing corporations. In Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, these are: Woongoed Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, Woonstichting Hulst, or Clavis. Certain conditions apply in order to qualify for a social rental home. You can read more about the three social housing corporations above on this page.
3. Is it easy for first-time renters or young people to find a rental home in the region?
Yes, many municipalities and housing corporations actively focus on homes for young people and first-time renters. In cities such as Terneuzen, Oostburg, and Hulst, projects have been launched to make affordable rental homes available. It pays to register in time and stay in contact with housing corporations. For example, Woongoed Zeeuws-Vlaanderen has a student return scheme, which we explained above. The average waiting time for a social rental home is much shorter than in the rest of the Netherlands.
5. Is renting in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen attractive for people from outside the region?
Absolutely! Zeeuws-Vlaanderen offers peace, space, nature, and good amenities. Rental prices are low compared to other regions in the Netherlands and Belgium, and you often get more living space for your money than in the Randstad or the Flemish Diamond. For those who can work flexibly or enjoy living in a border region, it is an attractive option.
6. Why should I rent in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen?
Renting in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen is a smart choice for those who want to get a taste of life in this beautiful region, are living independently for the first time, or are moving in together before buying a home or plot. Whether you come from the Randstad, another province, or just across the border in Belgium, renting in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen gives you the freedom to discover at your own pace if this place truly suits you.
For many people, buying a home is a big step. By renting, you can already experience what daily life here feels like: the peace, the space, the nature, but also the hospitality of the villages and towns, the accessibility of Flanders, and the quality of local amenities. You can explore different municipalities, see which living and perhaps working environment fits your lifestyle, and decide in your own time which type of home you want to save up for.
For Belgian renters, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen is also attractive because of the affordable rental prices, the wide range of housing, and the proximity to work or family in Flanders. At the same time, you benefit from the quality of Dutch healthcare, schools, and infrastructure.
In short: renting is an accessible way to settle in, orient yourself, and shape your future in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen step by step. Who knows, after a while you might never want to leave.
