Frequently Asked Questions

Browse and apply on our properties page. Filter by bedrooms, desired start date, and price to find what suits you. If you find something you like, send an application directly or email hello@cityretreat.com with the apartment and your desired start date. We respond to applications within 24 hours.

Yes. We work directly with HR teams, mobility managers, and corporate clients. Email your requirements to hello@cityretreat.com and we will handle everything from there, including direct invoicing to the company.

For more on corporate rentals, visit our corporate rentals Amsterdam page.

Pets are considered on a case-by-case basis. We typically ask for photos of your pet and ask tenants to confirm they accept responsibility for any damage or disturbance caused.

A limited number of our apartments include parking. For most tenants, we recommend using Amsterdam's excellent public transport or cycling. Parking in the city centre is expensive and traffic can be challenging. Amsterdam is genuinely one of the world's great cycling cities.

For full parking information, visit our Amsterdam parking guide.

All apartments are fully furnished and all-inclusive. Every apartment comes with:

• Fully equipped kitchen — appliances, utensils, cutlery, glassware
• High-speed Wi-Fi
• Fresh linen and towels
• Washer-dryer, iron, vacuum cleaner, hairdryer
• Desk and workspace
• All utilities — gas, electricity, water — included in the monthly rate
• A professional clean before you move in

The price you see is the price you pay — no hidden bills.

For a full overview of what's included and how it works, visit our furnished apartments Amsterdam guide.

Yes. Gas, electricity, water, and Wi-Fi are all included up to a reasonable usage limit stated in your rental agreement. The energy cap primarily encourages responsible use — tenants are warned if they exceed the cap and given time to reduce consumption before any action is taken.

City Retreat arranges a professional clean before you move in and at the end of the tenancy. Cleaning during the tenancy can be requested at extra cost with four days' notice.

To arrange extra cleaning or fresh linen, contact hello@cityretreat.com.

VVE (Dutch Housing Association) rules, if applicable, will be communicated at the key handover. Generally, loud parties after hours, smoking, and recreational drugs are strictly forbidden on the property. We kindly ask all tenants to be respectful to neighbours.

Yes. You sign a residential tenancy agreement for an indefinite period (huurovereenkomst woonruimte voor onbepaalde tijd) before the tenancy starts. It sets out your rent, the deposit, the initial period and the usage allowance for utilities.

There is no end date. The tenancy continues until you give notice.

Every home is let on a residential tenancy agreement for an indefinite period. You can give one calendar month's notice once the initial period in your agreement has passed. For example, notice given on 12 April ends the tenancy on 31 May.

Give notice by email and we will inform the owner.

The initial period is the first part of your tenancy. During the initial period you cannot give notice. Its length is set out in your agreement and shown on each apartment page. Once it has passed, you can give one calendar month's notice.

Agree a four-month initial period and your monthly rent is 10% lower for the whole tenancy.

Yes. The apartment is your main residence. You register in the BRP at the address within five days of moving in. We send you the instructions before your tenancy starts. Your BSN follows from registration. You need it to open a bank account, register with a GP and receive a Dutch salary.

For a step-by-step guide, see our Amsterdam BRP registration guide.

• No payment is required when you sign the agreement
• An invoice for the first month's rent is sent 3-4 weeks before the start date
• If you sign within 3-4 weeks of the start date, the invoice is sent 2-3 days after signing
• Payment must be made within 48 hours of the invoice to secure the apartment
• The deposit can be paid any time before the start date or at the key handover
• Subsequent monthly invoices are sent one week before each payment due date

We recommend paying by EU bank transfer to the IBAN on the invoice — this avoids transfer fees. We also accept credit card, PayPal, wire transfer, and services such as Wise. Tenants are responsible for any transfer fees charged by third-party payment providers.

The deposit is one month's rent. It is returned within 14 days of the end of the tenancy.

We produce a full property inspection report with signed photos at the start and end of the tenancy.

• Deductions can only be made for actual damage or for cleaning above the allowance in your agreement, not for normal wear and tear
• If damage or a deep clean is needed, let us know before the final inspection so we can act quickly and return the deposit promptly

When you give notice, please email us the bank account you'd like the deposit returned to.

Within 14 days of the end of the tenancy. How quickly depends on the apartment's condition. If extra cleaning, maintenance or repairs are needed, we will always communicate this clearly.

You can withdraw free of charge within 48 hours of signing the agreement, or at any time up to one month before the start date. After that the first month's rent is payable.

After signing the agreement, you'll receive a confirmation with access to our back office portal and apartment details. Before the key handover, make sure:

• The first month's rent and deposit have been paid
• You have agreed the key handover time with us so we can meet you at the property

We agree the key handover time with you by email. We do our best to accommodate your preferred time. Contact hello@cityretreat.com to schedule your key handover.

After you give notice, you will receive several emails to help you prepare, including one from a team member asking for your preferred time for the final inspection. We will meet you at the apartment to inspect the property and collect the keys. Please also remember to de-register your address with Gemeente Amsterdam.

Yes. We produce a full property inspection report at the start and end of the tenancy, including signed photos of all rooms, drawers, cupboards, keys, thermostat, boiler, meters, and storage areas. This report is signed by both the tenant and our agent and sent to all parties.

• Email: hello@cityretreat.com for applications and enquiries, key handover, final inspection, maintenance, finance, cleaning and linen
• WhatsApp (fastest response): +31 6 44 44 12 31
• Office phone (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm): +31 8 50 02 42 01