This article only applies to Long Stay. Click here to find more information about the difference between Long Stay and Short Stay housing.

What's a youth contract?

In Utrecht, we have self-contained residences with a youth contract. These residences are usually apartments, where you have two or three rooms. A youth contract is a temporary contract for a maximum of five years. You don’t have to be studying to get the youth contract. The accommodation will be allocated based on registration time.

To be eligible to respond to accommodation with a youth contract, you have to meet these requirements: 

• You're registered with the SSH. 
• You're renting an SSH room or studio at the moment
• when signing the contract, you have to be at least 18, and no more than 27 years old.

What happens when I turn 28?

Are you 28 years old and renting with a youth contract? In this case, you’re allowed to continue renting your current accommodation (regardless of how much you will earn) until the end of the contract. This means that if you’re 27 years old when signing a 5-year contract, you’re allowed to stay in your accommodation until you’re 32. 

What am I allowed to earn to get a youth contract?

Under European regulations, tenants of our rooms and self-contained accommodation may not earn more than €49,669 (2025) per year. Read more about your annual income and rental prices. 

Is it possible to sign multiple youth contracts - one after the other?

That's allowed, although you should meet the conditions. So if you rent accommodation with a youth contract and you're 27 years old or younger, you can sign another youth contract for another accommodation. It doesn't matter whether the previous contract has reached its end date or whether you have cancelled it yourself.

Can I extend my youth contract?

Unfortunately not - not even if you have a youth contract through Goeie Buur. You are responsible for finding a new home within five years. We terminate your youth contract because of urgent own use; this is what the law calls it. Because there is a huge need for student housing, we need your accommodation in order to create circulation and to house new students and young people. However, we do need your consent by law to do this. When your contract is about to expire, we therefore ask you to agree to the termination of your rental contract via My SSH. If we don't hear from you, we will go to court to make the termination final.

My youth contract is about to expire. Can SSH do anything for me?

Unfortunately not - not even if you have a youth contract via Goeie Buur. You are responsible for finding a new home within five years. No 28 years old yet? Then you can apply for other youth housing via WoningNet. Are you studying? Then check ROOM, the national registration platform for student rooms. 

I'm not an SSH tenant. What to do?

Are you not living in an SSH accommodation at the moment? We also offer a number of accommodation with a youth contract via WoningNet.