KNM: wonen in Nederland

Your home is your own place, and you live close to your neighbours. This is what the KNM exam expects you to know.

• When you move, tell the gemeente. Register your new address (je inschrijven) at the gemeente within a few days. You need this for post, healthcare and almost everything else.
• If something breaks in your rented home… tell your landlord (de verhuurder). Big repairs, like the heating or the roof, are for the landlord. Small things, like a light bulb, are for you.
• Keep paying the rent (de huur). Even when a repair is late, you never just stop paying. If you and the landlord can't agree, the Huurcommissie or the Juridisch Loket can help. With a low income you may get help with the rent (huurtoeslag).
• Your home is private. The landlord may not come in without your permission (toestemming), except in an emergency.
• Everyone has the same rights. A landlord may not refuse you because of your origin, your religion or your name. That is discrimination.
• Separate your waste (het afval). Put rubbish out on the right day, in the right container. Big things like an old sofa go to the milieustraat, or the gemeente picks them up after you make an appointment.
• Talk to your neighbours (de buren). Say hello when you move in, and don't forget to kindly inform them before you throw a party with loud noise. If you have problems with your neighbours, talking is always the first step. Still a problem? Buurtbemiddeling helps, for free.
• Fire or danger? Get out of the house and call 112.

Component · Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM), theme Wonen

• Task type · A short situation with a named person, then "Wat is waar?", "Wat doet X het beste?" or "Mag dat?". Three answer options.
• Real exam · On the computer, 45 minutes, multiple choice, in simple Dutch (about A2).

Most common mistakes

1. Choosing the "strong" answer. For ordinary noise you talk to the neighbour first. 112 is only for danger.
2. Stopping the rent. You keep paying, even when a repair is late. You ask for help instead.
3. "The owner decides everything." A landlord may not walk into your home without permission, and may not refuse you because of your origin or religion.
4. Answering with rules from your home country. The exam asks what is normal or allowed here.