The International Office (IO) arranged accommodation for 210 international master students this year. Peggy van de Voort: “Last year, we noticed that things didn’t always pan out, especially with Magis Vastgoedbeheer early in the year.” There were complaints about Magis’ service and getting in touch with the real estate agent, as well as about their blind-agreement principle: students were only appointed a room upon arrival, having no idea what to expect. On top of that, they were forced to sign a one-year contract.

Bart Schillings, director at Magis, says the past academic year’s issues have been ‘educational’. For next year, IO and Magis agreed that every student will be appointed a room prior to their arrival (which they may refuse). Upon arrival, students will be given the opportunity to change rooms or terminate the contract still. Magis should also become easier to get in touch with by putting in extra man hours, and introducing an emergency phone number. Magis also ended their collaboration with certain landlords.

Should TU/e arrange a room through Vestide, the largest housing agency for international students after Magis, students can choose from available rooms online.

The rent, a source of complaint for many international tenants, will probably remain much the same. Bart Schillings does indicate that Magis is urging its landlords to lower the monthly rent by some ten euro, because he’s noticed the amounts are ‘reaching the limit’. The International Office can’t change anything about the rates either, unless these are in violation of the Rent Committee’s guidelines. Furthermore, STU director Karen Ali stresses IO merely mediates between tenants and housing agencies, and thus isn’t responsible for the rooms on offer. “It’s a facility students choose to use. We do have regular meetings (with Magis, ed.) in which we discuss quality and complaints.” (SK)