Getting a viewing for the rental property is an uphill battle. Many renters miss out because they don’t understand the principles of scheduling viewings effectively.
This process is frustrating — waiting for days, only to be told the property has already been taken. Worse, being the first to apply doesn’t always guarantee success. However, by understanding the right strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of securing a viewing and eventually landing the home you want.
Whenever we talk to renters in the Netherlands, we cannot stress how much they underestimate how important the speed of sending a reaction is. Ideally, you should react to new listings in minutes, or even better seconds. Many real estate agencies follow first-come-first-serve approach, and therefore you want to be among these first people that submit their viewing request.
Luckily, Uprent helps you with that. You can opt in to be notified of new listings. That way, whenever there is a new listing detected at one of the supported platforms, you will receive an instant alert on your email or phone (depending on what you select).
As mentioned earlier, timing is key, but it’s not the only factor in securing a viewing. A well-crafted application message is just as important. You definitely don’t want to be the first one to get rejected, right?
Your application message is what will ultimately make you stand out. It’s not just about sending a quick note; it’s about presenting yourself in the best possible light. A well-structured message should include the following:
Uprent’s browser extension lets you create a viewing request message in under a minute, for free. When you find a home on any supported website, simply click the Create Message button and answer a few questions. Once you’ve answered all the questions, the viewing request message is automatically generated. This message has been proven to increase your chances of securing viewings by 174% compared to the usual approach.
Not all application messages should be the same. Adjust your message depending on who will be reading it:
Uprent lets you store multiple viewing request messages and automatically fills them in on all rental platforms across The Netherlands.
If you’re applying through platforms like Funda or Pararius, don’t just rely on their built-in application systems. Visit the real estate agent’s website directly and submit your application there as well. Often, real estate agents prioritise viewing requests sent from their website.
Often, a phone call can make the difference. Uprent will let you know if it’s worth calling the agent based on the specific agency. If the agent prefers not to schedule viewings by phone, or if the phone lines are often busy, Uprent won’t suggest calling. But if it might help, you’ll see a prompt with the agent’s phone number.
Many tenants skip PDF forms or online applications required by real estate agents, thinking it takes too much time. However, filling out these forms can give you a significant edge, as it shows you’re committed. Plus, fewer people complete these, reducing your competition.
In the past, many people used Google Sheets or Notion databases to track their rental applications — or didn’t track them at all — leading to missed opportunities and forgotten applications. With Uprent, every application is automatically saved to your dashboard. This allows you to easily manage and monitor all your applications in one place. Uprent also sends reminders for important follow-ups and automates tasks like creating Google Calendar events for viewings. You can even share your dashboard with your flatmate, allowing you to collaborate on the rental search.
Currently, the housing market is a minefield of scams and illegal practices. Read How to detect a scam to be prepared.
