Flatmate assessment

This is really exciting; you’ve chosen to move into a room! But what’s actually involved? An important part of this is flatmate assessment, or in Dutch: "Hospiteren". But what actually is it?

What is flatmate assessment?

If you want to get a room, you often have to undergo a flatmate assessment, or a viewing. This is an evening organised by the current residents of the student house. The residents want to get to know potential new residents and see who would be the best fit for their student house. So, to do this, flatmate assessment evenings get organised. These evenings are good for you too. You’ll get to look around the room, the surrounding and, most importantly, your potential flatmates to be.

Check out our tips for a succesful viewing!

How do you prepare for it?

Flatmate assessment sounds really rather tense, and it can cause some stress beforehand. Don’t worry about it. The best thing to do during these evenings is to be yourself. Be yourself: you’re more than enough. And that really is true. The thing is, you’re going to see if you fit in among the current residents, and that’s how they look at it too. Think of a few questions you want to ask before you go. For example, do you want to know if they eat dinner together? Or exactly how big the room is? Make yourself a list so you don’t forget anything. You can start thinking about questions they might ask too. Example: Why do you want to live here? Are you a dab hand in the kitchen? How do you imagine living together?

A couple of useful tips:

  • Be on time for the viewing!
  • Be yourself.
  • Bring something original with you. Every one brings wine with them, so think of something funny so they won’t forget you.
  • Speak to all the residents of the house, and don’t focus on just one person. After all, the decision is ultimately made by all the residents together.
  • Ask questions. That shows that you’re interested.

Hopefully you’re feeling a bit more confident now. We know this for sure though: you’re going to rock the flatmate assessment evening! Haven’t you been chosen? No worries! You’ll get more chances.

Register