Our mission

If you have any problems with your your landlord or the SSH and you feel that your complaints are not treated correctly, you can ask help from ISHA. We can advise you or refer you to the right address for help. On top of that VIDIUS offers free legal advice for all students so for disputes with your land landlord you will often be referred to them. Furthermore, we will try to answer any questions you have regarding your housing situation. So even when it is not necessarily a complaint, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Secondly, we conduct a survey about international student housing in Utrecht once a semester. This survey helps us to monitor the current housing standards for international students in Utrecht. You can find the current survey hereAt the end of the year the results of the two surveys will be combined and we will write a report highlighting the main problems regarding international housing. This report will be discussed with the SSH,, the municipality and higher education institutions in Utrecht like the university to see what can be improved for the next year.

Also this year for the first time we will be organizing an event this september where you can attend a free training in ‘hospiteren’ (how to apply for a room in Utrecht and how to present yourself best when you meet potential new roommates at a hospiteer-evening) and a coarse in tenancy rights so you won’t get swindled and pay way to much for a room.

A bit more background on the organizations involved in ISHA:

  • ESN is a non-profit international student organisation, active in 525 local sections in 40 countries. ESN Utrecht organizes all kinds of things for international students coming to Utrecht.
  • BuddyGoDutch is a non-profit international student organisation active in Utrecht. They match Dutch and international students and allow them to experience their differences in culture.
  • VIDIUS is the students union in Utrecht, mainly concerning the quality of studying and overall living of students in Utrecht.
  • BoKS is a union of tenants of the largest Utrecht student housing association, SSH. SSH Short Stay is part of SSH.