City of Haarlem and Hospi Housing launch campaign to promote Homestay Rental

To address to growing housing shortage, the city of Haarlem and Hospi Housing have launched a campaign to promote homestay rental.

Haarlem, 17 June 2025 - In June 2025, the City of Haarlem launched a new campaign to encourage in-home room rental - known in the Netherlands as hospitaverhuur. The campaign is carried out in collaboration with Hospi Housing, the largest homestay rental platform in the Netherlands, and aims to connect people in need of housing with local residents who have a room available in their homes.

Financial and social benefits for residents

The housing market in Haarlem is under pressure, and affordable housing is in short supply. Meanwhile, many households have spare rooms - after children move out, for example. Homestay rental offers a practical and social solution: room searchers gain access to safe, affordable housing, and hosts benefit from extra income and meaningful connection.

Residents who rent out a room in their home can earn up to €6,324 per year tax-free. Beyond the financial gain, welcoming someone into the home can also bring companionship and strengthen community ties. Homestay rental helps bridge generations and cultures - especially valuable in a diverse city like Haarlem.

“Renting out a room may feel like a big step, but you don’t have to do it alone,” says Daan Donkers, founder of Hospi Housing. “We provide personal guidance from start to finish: from your first conversation to finding the right tenant and drafting the rental agreement. Our goal is to make it feel safe and comfortable for everyone involved.”

No permit required in Haarlem

In Haarlem, residents are allowed to rent out one or two rooms without needing a permit, regardless of whether they are homeowners or tenants. Tenants must check with their housing corporation, landlord, or mortgage provider to ensure subletting is permitted. The municipality fully supports this form of housing and actively refers interested residents to Hospi Housing.

A call to Haarlem residents: think local, act social

With this campaign, the City of Haarlem calls on its residents to consider becoming a host. If you have a spare room, homestay rental is a safe, simple, and meaningful way to support the next generation - while earning extra income and reducing pressure on the housing market.

Hospi Housing offers full support

Hospi Housing specializes in matching students with trustworthy hosts. What why provide:

Want to learn more or register as a host? Sign up here or contact us at info@hospihousing.com.

Note to editors

For interviews or additional information, please contact:

Daan Donkers, Founder of Hospi Housing

📞 +31 6 81872586

📧 info@hospihousing.com