Looking for a studio apartment in Utrecht? Change= makes it possible!
Renting a studio in Utrecht is not easy. Housing in the city is scarce, rents keep rising and every listing attracts dozens of applicants. At Change= in Utrecht Leidsche Rijn you rent a self-contained studio with your own kitchen, bathroom and toilet, directly from the landlord. No agent, no agency fees, no viewing with twenty other people. On this page you read what a studio in Utrecht costs, what you get at Change= and how to register.
What is a self-contained studio?
A self-contained studio is a one-room home with its own front door, kitchen and bathroom. You share nothing with housemates. That is the difference with a room, where you share the kitchen and shower. Change= only rents out self-contained studios and atelier studios. No rooms and no apartments with several bedrooms.
A studio in Utrecht is usually 30 to 40 square metres. That is enough for a bed, a seating area, a dining spot and a desk, especially if you plan the layout well. Not sure whether you want a studio or an apartment? Read studio or apartment renting in Utrecht: which suits you best.
Affordable studios for rent in Utrecht at Change=
Change= is the developer, owner and landlord of the building at Berlijnplein in Leidsche Rijn. You rent directly from us, which keeps the rent affordable for people who have just started working. The building has around 600 studios across seven floors and six courtyard gardens. Plenty of choice, with different studios for different needs:
Studio of approx. 30 m²: compact and cleverly laid out, with your own kitchen and bathroom
Studio of approx. 40 m²: more room for a separate seating and dining area
Atelier studio of approx. 40 m² plus a 12 m² loft: on the ground floor, with its own entrance, for living and working at one address
What comes standard in your studio?
Every studio is delivered ready to live in. As standard you get:
Private bathroom and toilet
Open kitchen with induction hob and a dishwasher connection
Laminate flooring and blackout blinds
Washer-dryer combination
District heating with a Google Nest thermostat
High-speed internet connection
A furnished version is available on request, so you do not have to buy a sofa or a bed and your new home in Utrecht is ready in a day. Want to get more out of a small space? Read our studio living tips.
What you get besides your own studio
At Change= you rent more than four walls. The shared facilities in the building:
The 24/7 healthclub, with no separate membership, for training whenever you like
Flexible workspaces and meeting rooms at Change=Pro
A café, shared living rooms and a relaxation room
Six courtyard gardens to sit outside
A reception on weekdays and a caretaker in the evening
And there is the community. Residents organise events together, from drinks to workshops and culture at Berlijnplein. You live alone in your studio, but you are not on your own. Curious how that works? Read our tips for connecting with fellow residents and the blog on living alone in Utrecht without feeling lonely.
Renting a studio in Utrecht Leidsche Rijn
Leidsche Rijn is popular with young professionals looking for a studio in Utrecht: new, green and well connected. From Berlijnplein you walk to the Leidsche Rijn Centrum shopping centre with supermarkets, shops and a cinema in five minutes. Utrecht Leidsche Rijn station is also a five-minute walk, and from there the train takes you to Utrecht Centraal in a few minutes. More about the building and the area is on living in Utrecht Leidsche Rijn.
Would you rather live in the old city centre? Then you pay a lot more for fewer square metres in Utrecht. Other popular neighbourhoods to know when renting a studio in Utrecht:
Wittevrouwen is close to the university and full of cafés
Lombok is known for its multicultural atmosphere and the market
Oog in Al is quiet and green
Overvecht and Zuilen often offer the most affordable studios
Read more about what makes the city attractive in why Utrecht is the city for young professionals.
Who is a studio at Change= for?
Change= is for working young professionals aged 18 to 36 with an income of their own. They often earn too much for social housing and too little for the private sector. We built our studios in Utrecht for exactly that group. There is an income requirement: your gross monthly income has to match the rent. The current requirement is on the registration page.
This is not student housing. If you are still studying, you are better off with SSH or a room rental agency. We do not rent out apartments with several bedrooms. Starting out in Utrecht? Also have a look at our starter apartments in Utrecht.
What do your monthly costs consist of?
Your monthly costs for renting a studio in Utrecht at Change= consist of three parts:
Basic rent for the studio itself
Service costs, which cover internet, TV, the healthclub and maintenance of the building
Energy and water, which you arrange yourself
When you sign, you pay a one-off deposit. The amounts differ per studio and are adjusted every year. The current overview is on the registration page. If the basic rent is below the social housing limit, you may qualify for housing benefit (huurtoeslag).
For comparison: on the open market a studio in Utrecht costs around €870 per month on average, with a range of €600 to €1,100. That is about €36 per square metre, among the highest in the Netherlands. The total rent including service costs is often well above the basic rent shown in listings. Want to know how private sector rent in Utrecht compares with Change=? You can read that on that page.
Studio rental in Utrecht: how to register with Change=
Create a profile at register.change-is.com
Upload your employment contract, three payslips and a bank statement
If you meet the requirements, we schedule an intake call
When a suitable studio becomes available, you hear it first and we plan a viewing
The rental contract runs for one year and then continues for an indefinite period. So you do not have to look for a new home every year.
Honestly: there is a waiting list. How long it is varies per period. Register in time, even if you do not want to move straight away. Then you are ready the moment something becomes available. Got your studio? Our guide on how to prepare for a move to Utrecht helps you with registering at the municipality, benefits and parking.
How to improve your chances of a studio in Utrecht
Keep your documents ready. Good studios in Utrecht are often gone within a day
Search outside the peak months of August and September
Look beyond the city centre: Leidsche Rijn, Overvecht and Zuilen are more spacious and cheaper
Indicate a preference for several studio types, so your turn comes sooner
Register directly with a landlord such as Change=, not only through rental platforms
Going to a viewing? Use our checklist for viewing studios and apartments
More tips are in best tips for finding an affordable studio in Utrecht.
Looking for something bigger?
Looking for more space in Utrecht? Have a look at our rental homes in Utrecht or rent an apartment in Utrecht.
Frequently asked questions about renting a studio in Utrecht
How much does a studio in Utrecht cost on average?
On the open market about €870 per month, with a range of €600 to €1,100. At Change= the rent differs per studio. The current amount is on the registration page.
How big is a studio in Utrecht?
Usually 30 to 40 m². Change= has studios of approx. 30 and 40 m² and atelier studios of 40 m² with a 12 m² loft.
What is the difference between a studio and a room?
In a studio you have your own kitchen, bathroom and toilet. In a room you share them with housemates.
Are the studios furnished?
They come with flooring, blinds, a kitchen and a washer-dryer as standard. Furnished on request.
Can two people live in one studio?
The studios are designed for one resident. Ask in advance what is possible for couples.
How long does it take to find a studio in Utrecht?
On the open market it can take months. At Change= it depends on the waiting list. The sooner you register, the sooner it is your turn.
Can I rent a studio in Utrecht right away?
Not at Change=, because there is a waiting list. If you need something immediately, combine your registration with us with a search through a landlord or platform, so you can move on later.
Your own place in Utrecht?
Register with Change= and be first in line when a studio becomes available. All you need to do is pack your suitcase.