Hospiteren: how to win over your future housemates

What exactly is hospiteren?

Hospiteren is typically Dutch: in a shared student house the current residents choose who gets the vacant room themselves. You are invited to a hospiteeravond, an informal meet-up where residents sense whether you fit the group.

Unlike with an ordinary landlord, this is not about your income or registration time, but about the click. The residents are mainly looking for a pleasant, engaged housemate.

How do you make a good impression?

The key is coming across as genuine and sociable, without pretending to be someone you are not. Residents see through forced behaviour. Show that you are interested in the house and in them, not only in the room.

• •Be on time and respect their time and home.
• •Ask how the household works and what matters to them.
• •Share something about yourself: your studies, hobbies and why you fit this house.
• •Be helpful and considerate during the evening, also towards other candidates.
• •Be honest about your expectations on cleaning, noise and doing things together.

What is better to avoid?

Exaggerating, boasting or only talking about yourself backfires. Pushing too hard afterwards can also count against you. Let the residents choose calmly; if it clicks, you will hear.