Renting out in Leiden

Leiden is a true university city: the oldest university in the Netherlands, the LUMC and the Bio Science Park draw many students, researchers and starters. The shortage of rooms is large and room-conversion pressure in and around the centre is high, which the municipality tries to steer with per-street quotas.

Hospita rental: permit-free

A hospita who lives in the home may rent to one additional person without a conversion permit. If you don't live there yourself, renting to a maximum of two people is permit-free.

Renting to more people

Beyond that a conversion permit is needed in designated neighbourhoods, with a per-street quota: 20% in the city centre, 8% in the surrounding ring and 5% in the remaining streets. In some streets (such as in the Noorderkwartier, De Kooi and Transvaal) a quota of 0% applies: no new room-rental properties are possible there. A permit is refused if a new unit is smaller than 45 m² or if the street quota is full. The municipality shows per area how full the quota is.

Official info: gemeente Leiden: room and hospita rental (in Dutch). As of June 2026. Always check the current rules with your municipality.

For the national rules, see General rules for room rental. Also check the impact on your municipal taxes.