RefugeeHomeNL is a collaboration between the Red Cross, Salvation Army, VluchtelingenWerk Nederland and Takecarebnb, under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and Security. The goal of RefugeeHomeNL is to coordinate and guide the reception of refugees from Ukraine in Dutch host families. The Ministry and the participating parties have mutually decided to conclude the project on December 31, 2023.

Need help for shelter of housing in the Netherlands?

Visit http://www.refugeehelp.nl for comprehensive information on available options for shelter and housing in the Netherlands. VluchtelingenWerk Nederland provides various means of contact for additional help and advice. Refer to this page for more details.

Lately, we’ve noticed a recurring trend where host families and guests enter into rental or loan agreements. In this message, we outline some pros and cons of this practice. We strongly advise you to seek thorough information beforehand, as it can have a significant impact on both the guest and the host family.

Not Private Accommodation

Once a host family and guest enter into a rental contract or any other type of agreement, they no longer fall under private accommodation. The mutual voluntary arrangement for accommodation ceases to exist. In this case, RefugeeHomeNL maintains the position that we can no longer provide guidance. Our role is limited to coordinating and supporting private accommodation.

Different Rights and Responsibilities

Formalizing cohabitation through a rental contract or agreement introduces different rights and responsibilities for both the guest and host family. This situation can also have (negative) financial consequences. For instance, it might lead to the discontinuation of the guest’s allowance and potential impacts on the host family’s benefits and allowances. Additionally, rental income is subject to income tax.

Seek Proper Information

On the other hand, formalizing accommodation through a rental contract can also bring advantages. This includes offering the guest a perspective of a longer-term stay with the associated rights and responsibilities, or significantly contributing to the host family’s housing and energy expenses. Our advice is to get well-informed about the pros and cons. This page could be a useful starting point for gathering information.