11 things that can go wrong in your Dutch house

Whether you’re buying or renting a home in the Netherlands, there are many things that you can encounter that are… less than ideal. 

Pests, leaks, mould, loud neighbours — the list goes on. Besides these things being pretty unwelcome in our homes, fixing or getting rid of them can be costly.

1. Your roof might start to leak 🔨

You may have heard, but believe it or not, it occasionally rains in the Netherlands! That, plus the old Dutch houses, can be a recipe for disaster (by which we mean a leak).

Then, you’re left with water damage, energy inefficiency, and a huge repair bill. How huge? Well, that depends. 

Finding the leak itself can be €300 to €400 alone, and the costs of repair can easily run the bill over €1000.

Add to that all the costs of repairing the water damage to furniture around it, and your bill can easily run into the thousands. That’s a fat check.

2. You could fall down your narrow Dutch stairs 🪂

The Dutch are often thin and tall, just like their homes. But what doesn’t make sense is how those steps can even contain more than half of their feet. How do they not fall down the stairs more often?!

Well, it can happen. These narrow and steep stairs can be a safety hazard, especially for us internationals who aren’t used to them. One misstep and — woops!

3. You might have some unwelcome guests 🐀

Many Dutch houses are a little too familiar with pests. Mice, moths, or rats, these little guys have no sense of privacy or personal space, and Dutch houses can be particularly susceptible to these pests.

This isn’t just gross; it can also be dangerous. These infestations can cause structural damage and health hazards for those in the infested houses. We doubt anyone wants to eat food that’s been chewed on by a mouse!

(Now it makes sense why cats are so popular in the Netherlands.)

4. You could damage things that aren’t yours 🪟

Accidents happen. Maybe when you were trying to move that couch up the stairs, its legs hit the wall, and now you have a dent. There goes a chunk of your rental deposit.

Or maybe you own your home and decided to give your place a funky renovation — and accidentally drilled a hole straight through to the next-door neighbour’s house. 

5. Strangers might catch a glimpse of you in your birthday suit 🫢

The Dutch are famously somewhat opposed to curtains, and we get why. After living in the Netherlands for a while, you just want to make the most of Dutch daylight.

It’s all fun and games until you change your clothes after work and your neighbours become, um, a bit too familiar with you, if you know what we mean.

6. You could lock yourself out… in your pajamas 🔒

Speaking of being seen in a less-than-ideal outfit… One minute you’re just popping downstairs to grab your Thuisbezorgd delivery. The next, your front door swings shut behind you with a suspicious little *click*.

Yep, unlike in many other countries, Dutch front doors often lock automatically when they close. No turning required. And just like that, you’re officially locked out, in your PJs, holding nothing but a takeaway bag (and maybe your sense of regret).

We hope you were clever enough to leave a spare key with your neighbour, otherwise you’re left with one option: calling the locksmith. And they’re not cheap.

7. You may have to deal with dampness… and mould 💧

As much as we love those big windows, they don’t always have the best insulation, which can lead to mould.

You try to keep it under control, but you can’t help but wonder if you’ll get your rental deposit back or if your landlord will blame you for it (God forbid they ever fix anything!).

But to be fair, mould can be expensive to fix. Whether it’s changing the windows or repainting the mouldy parts of your walls, it can cost some money. Why is being an adult so expensive?

8. You could have noisy neighbours 📣

The Netherlands is very densely populated, especially in the cities. As a result, people often have neighbours above them, beneath them, and to their left and right.

Sharing a wall with your neighbour can lead to some annoying situations. Maybe your shower-singing is a little louder than you realised, or maybe their attempts to learn the trumpet don’t seem to be going that well. Either way, someone is unhappy.

9. Your house could have structural issues 🏚️

Dutch houses are old. Like, really old. So, they can face structural problems like foundation issues, subsidence, or cracks in the walls. 

The fact that they’re built on water doesn’t help with this issue either, and let’s face it, sometimes houses are just built cheaply. 

All these things can lead to some pretty frustrating issues you’ll have to deal with — make sure your house is strong before you rent or buy it, or you could be facing a hefty bill!

10. Your doorbell may somehow be wired to your neighbour’s unit 🔕

Let’s say you’re waiting for a package. The app says it’s arrived. But your doorbell? Silent.

Turns out many older Dutch buildings have ancient doorbell systems, and no one knows who maintains them. Sometimes, if a neighbour renovates or changes their own doorbell, it can break the connection for the whole building.

The result? It’s not uncommon for your doorbell to ring in your neighbour’s apartment, or vice versa — or for it to not ring anywhere at all. Until it’s fixed, we recommend you invest in a sticky note that reads “bel kapot (doorbell broken).”

11. You might have to deal with plumbing issues 🪠

We saved the best for last: plumbing. A toilet doesn’t flush, a sink drain is clogged, and there’s air in your pipes. 

Sometimes, these things are just out of your control, especially because Dutch houses are built so close to each other. Often, apartments will share pipes, and suddenly, one person’s problem becomes everyone’s problem.

Clearly, a lot can go wrong in your Dutch home — but luckily their charm makes up for it. ✨

What’s the worst issue you’ve faced in your Dutch home? Tell us in the comments!