Domakin – Housing Agency Created by Students for Students That You Can Trust
Leaving your home to live on your own is no easy feat. Finding a new home can be very challenging, especially considering the Dutch housing market crisis. The costs are steep, the agents and homeowners can discriminate against internationals, and sometimes people may sell your their floors?
In 2022, the Bulgarian Society Groningen felt this issue deeply and wanted to extend a helping hand to prospective Bulgarian students to find a home safe and simple. That is how Domakin grew their roots, eventually expanding to offer their services to any and all incoming or existing students studying in the Netherlands.
“We’re not just a platform, we’re a community.”
Domakin is a platform created by students for students. The founders, Lazar Popov, Vladislav Marinov, Sava Popov, Dimitar Stamatov, Konstantin Sonev and Radost Lozanova, have experienced all the issues of room-hunting first-hand, and understand the struggles better than anyone. Instead of impersonal and transactional services offered by traditional housing agencies, Domakin offers extensive support, both before you move in, and after you move out.
Let us explain.
1. Agents
Domakin operates within the current market by providing agents to accompany you to viewings that you arrange yourself. This helps to prevent fraudulent room listings and ensures accurate and honest reports on the room's condition, and the attitudes of roommates and landlords. Domakin pledges to act in your best interests and provide honest feedback, whether it's positive or negative. All current agents are seasoned students who have experience with the housing market, ready to share their professional opinions on any issues that may arise on your accommodation-seeking journey.
2. Listings
Of course, a proper housing agency must have property listings. Although Domakin is relatively new, it is dedicated to listing rooms and studios in a safe environment at a fair price. This is where the community aspect comes in. All listings are personally sought out by their employees, and students can list their old place or place a roommate on their website for a commission of 200 euros. Meaning that when you move out or even if you are in search of a roommate, you can offer your room or apartment to other students on the website for them to enjoy while you earn some money.
3. Emergency housing
Plans don't always work out as you hope, but you shouldn't have to drop out of university just because you can't find a place to stay. The website allows the community to offer emergency spaces, whether it's an extra room or a couch to share, while you continue your search for proper accommodation. It's a simple solution to a huge problem, and a little kindness goes a long way. You can also be the one to offer up a couch or extra mattress for a short-term stay to help a student in need. Sharing is caring, and who knows, maybe that could become a shortcut for a long-lasting friendship.
“For me, one of the more interesting parts is to see what's possible, like how much we can develop it, how much we can optimise it, how many people we can help.” - Lazar
Truly acting in the best interests of students, the team does not accept payment upfront but sends an invoice after they have completed a service. You can additionally also contact the team with any questions about the housing market, or view their curated list of recommended websites to find accommodations. They also will reassure both you and your worried parents, as approximately 50% of their clients are mothers.
It is time to take back the power from greedy landlords and dishonest agencies leeching off innocent students. It is your responsibility to secure a place to live, and the first step is knowing your rights as a renter. Domakin will help eliminate uncertainties that pop up during every step of the search, making your burden lighter.
Do you subscribe to this initiative? You can also contact the team if you wish to support them by donating or helping the cause.
Students, let's watch out for each other; we're in this together. Help sustain a nationwide community.