Rental homes in Assen

Assen is the capital of Drenthe and by some distance one of the calmer and more affordable rental cities in the Netherlands. The city sits on the railway line to Groningen, which you reach in about twenty minutes, and as a result it draws people who want to escape the city life of Groningen without losing the connection. With the TT Circuit, the Drents Museum and plenty of green space around it, Assen has its own relaxed character. For internationals working or studying in Groningen, it can be an affordable and quieter place to live.

The rental market is less pressured than in the Randstad or in Groningen, but that does not mean good homes sit around. Attractively priced apartments in the private (free-sector) market go quickly here too. HuurScanner gathers listings from dozens of rental sites and letting agents in one place, so you do not have to search across separate websites, and sends you an alert as soon as something new and suitable goes online.

Popular neighbourhoods in Assen

Assen is compact and green in layout, with neighbourhoods that differ strongly in atmosphere and building period.

• Centrum — around the Vaart, the Brink and the Markt; apartments above shops and small-scale new-build homes, all within walking distance of the station.
• De Lariks and Assen-Oost — varied post-war neighbourhoods close to the centre, with a mix of flats and family homes.
• Marsdijk — a spacious, green neighbourhood in the north with many family homes and water all around; popular with families.
• Kloosterveen — the large new-build district in the west, modern in layout with its own shopping centre.
• Pittelo and Baggelhuizen — somewhat older neighbourhoods on the west side, usually more affordable.

For those wanting a more rural setting, villages such as Rolde, Vries and Loon are a short distance away, each with its own character and a fast connection to the city.

Rental prices in Assen

Assen is among the more affordable rental cities in the Netherlands. In the private sector, rents for an apartment run roughly between EUR 800 and EUR 1,250 per month, depending on size, year of construction and neighbourhood. Spacious family homes in new-build districts such as Kloosterveen or Marsdijk run higher, while a more compact home or studio can often be found around EUR 650 - EUR 850.

A considerable share of the housing stock in Assen falls under social housing (below the liberalisation threshold). Registration runs through the regional system of the Drenthe housing corporations; waiting times are shorter than in the Randstad, but for popular neighbourhoods you can still wait several years.

When comparing listings, look not only at the base rent but also at the service charges and whether the home is unfurnished, fitted with floor and window coverings, or fully furnished. Since the Affordable Rent Act (Wet betaalbare huur, 2024), the points system (WWS) has been extended to the mid-market segment, so more homes now have a capped rent. Unsure about the price? Run a rent check with the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie).

Finding a rental home in Assen faster

Even in a less pressured market the rule holds: whoever is quick off the mark and responds completely stands the best chance.

1. Set up a search profile with neighbourhood, maximum rent and minimum number of rooms, so you only receive alerts that really matter.
2. Keep your documents ready. A short introductory message, a recent payslip or employer's statement and a copy of your ID with the BSN masked make your response stronger.
3. Consider the villages around Assen. Rolde, Vries and Loon often fall outside the busiest searches and offer slightly more space.
4. Register for social housing if you qualify; waiting times are shorter than in the west, so registering pays off sooner.

With HuurScanner you see the combined supply of all the major rental sites in and around Assen in one overview, and you get an alert the moment something new comes up. That way you are among the first to respond.

Frequently asked questions about renting in Assen