Thisisourdomain Reviews 10

The application fee feels like nothing more than a robbery. A company operating like this doesn’t deserve to exist. After you pay, they still have the right to reject your application and keep the fee with no refund. Yes, it really is that unreasonable. Even though they mention this rule on their website, how can anyone know the result without applying first? This kind of company profits from unfair and distorted rules to take people’s money. It’s an unethical business model, and I truly hope they shut down in the future.

You smell weed everywhere, people smoking cannabis on their balcony 24/7, you can not have your window open at evening when you want to go to bed, there is weed smells, you wake up at night because of the heat, you want to open up a window, there is more weed smells, its disgusting, people refuse to go down and smoke their joint.

After living at OurDomain for 4.5 years, I want to share my honest experience. Trust me, it’s nothing like what they show in their photos, website, or PR campaigns.

When I first looked at reviews, I expected to see a ton of one-star ratings, because everyone I know here is always complaining – about the quality, the service, everything. But I looked deeper and it's so obvious many 5-star reviews are fake – especially those mentioning staff like Lee Moerman, Mazimba, or Joseph Burton (check "Thisisourdomain" Trustpilot). They use real staff names to make it sound real, but the writing is just fake.

So let me tell you what a typical day can be like here. I come home, try to open my door with my key tag – red light, access denied. I have to go downstairs to security. Turns out the battery in my lock died after just a few years. It's like buying a new phone that starts at 50% battery. Security comes up and changes the battery. You'd think that’s it, right? Nope. Then I try to open the door, and it’s so heavy, it’s like pushing a brick wall. The electronic lock feels stuck. I finally get it open, hoping I can relax. But then I can't close it properly. The latch doesn't move right, so I have to wiggle my tag to make it lighter just to lock it.

I was one of the first to move in, and was excited to have a brand-new place. But the mini-fridge had an issue – the freezer door wouldn’t close fully. I put in a maintenance request, and two guys came to check. They acted like I was being too rough with it. Eventually, they realized it wasn't me, and their solution? Reattach the freezer door backward. So now I have a "new" fridge with doors that open in opposite directions. Normally I wouldn’t care, but in a tiny 20m² flat with an awful layout, it’s a real problem. Every time I open one door, it blocks another. I have to close the bathroom door, then the closet, just to open the fridge and reach the backward freezer door. Thanks to the “five-star,” “top-rated” designers for that genius move.

And don’t even get me started on the heating. I’ve never seen anything this bad. Turn the radiator past level 3, and the place turns into a sauna. My throat and nose start burning. I’m convinced there’s a structural issue, but I haven’t figured out what.

Then the next morning, I’m woken up by a loud beeping – the smoke alarm going off on a quiet Sunday. I reach it and turn it off. Half an hour later – it goes off again. I call security, and the guy who came didn’t really believe me. I had to convince him it actually happened. He fiddled with it. It kept happening. I put in another maintenance request. They came when I wasn’t home and said they fixed it. But it kept going off a few more times after that.
So yeah, everything works great here, security is always helpful, and maintenance is just flawless... not.

And if it’s windy and you want to open a window? Forget it. The air ventilator makes a loud whooshing noise – like living in a caravan. You even get the same sound from plug sockets and doors sometimes, which is just bizarre.

It’s a furnished studio, so you get kitchen cabinets, closets, and a bed frame. And I can’t describe how cheap and low-quality everything is. The shower door, handles, curtain fabric, wallpaper, flooring, kitchen counter – everything feels like it was built to break.

From day one – since August 2020, when I was among the first to move in – there were already tons of complaints. Bad smells, construction noise, structural problems, insects, crazy high service charges. And the management? They hated that. They were obsessed with keeping a good image – fancy branding, music room, shared spaces, social media – but it was clear people were unhappy with the costs and service. They discouraged public complaints and pushed people to go to reception individually. Over time, it’s become clear that residents are being unfairly charged with inflated service fees. Honestly, it feels like a very polished scam to drain money from tenants.

100% scam & fraud,
Illegal fees, overcharges, apartments full of defects, they avoid replying to tenants in order to keep scamming you, people working there has no ethic, only caring about scamming you, avoid this corporation

Definitely a scam, ventilation never exist in the hallway and the room, rubbish room is always full and stinky, heating functions horribly and never get fixed... Their check-out process is even a bigger scam, they just fine you for whatever stains on the wall and force you to pay for repainting the whole wall, unfortunately we know they are very likely not gonna repaint it but just to scam the money out from us...

In my first year of university, I applied for a studio at OurDomain in Diemen. At the time, I paid the 100EUR fee but did not get any email back. I let that slide. 5 years later, I am trying to move in Diemen with my partner, we pay the 100EUR fee, upload all documents and so on. They state everywhere that in 3 days you get an email reply to see if you are eligible or not. I waited more than 2 weeks and did not get a reply back on my multiple emails sent. Only when I logged in their platform again, I could see that my request was denied. They do not keep their promise of informing via the email in 3 days, it has been more than 3 weeks now and I still have not heard ANYTHING from their part. I stayed in waiting line for 30 minutes almost everyday with no luck, only the ones in Holendrecht answered the phone saying that they do not know what the people in Diemen are doing. The funny thing is, I STILL get notifications that the property I was looking at is available and I should apply again. HOW CAN I APPLY AND PAY AGAIN IF I DO NOT KNOW THE REASON WHY I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE? To this day, no reply at all, not even answering the phone. If I am not eligible for the property that is fine, but a whole another thing is to get ignored non stop when you are raising a problem AND you are trying to find a solution on good terms. Huge disappointment, totally unprofessional. They have the worst service I have seen in all those 5 years staying in Amsterdam! Do not apply there if you do not want to lose your money and nerves.

It was lovely while I was there! Everybody was very helpful and whatever issues I had, they were all solved!
Special cudos to Joseph Burton! Joseph couldn't be more helpful throughout a request that needed special assistance! He deserves recognition and a raise for sure!

Today I went to see the viewing after following the registration process, paying the fees and uploading my documents and receiving approval so you can imagine my excitement at this point. Unfortunately, my experience turned out negative for the following reasons:

1. The welcome was not very warm, the associate just pointed at the facilities as we walked by them. No introductions or orientations of any sort.
2. I did not see the apartment I applied for because it is currently occupied.
3. I did not see the building I applied for even though I asked.
4. The heat is unbearable inside the building and the hallways. In the 1 bedroom apartment, there is only ONE window to open in the living room.
5. The apartment I applied for in the system also mentioned it was on the 7th floor. It was a corner apartment with the park view. The one I received confirmation for was on the first floor and not the same view or floor plan. The associate did not know which apartment I booked either.

So far, I paid a 100 euros registration fees, uploaded all of my documents and got accepted for an apartment which I haven't signed up for originally or even was able to view today on my tour. On top of all of that, I am requested to pay a deposit of 3,000 euros for an unfurnished space within 5 days otherwise I would lose my spot and my registration fee. The associate did mention that they might offer an exception and view the apartment when the current tenants move out. No promises were made or assurance that it will be reserved for me until then unless the deposit was paid.

Recommendations:
If you are a student, this might be a good transition although more central student accommodations can be found in niew-west or Weesperplein. The registration process is fast which is good if you are in a hurry to find a place and don't care how your studio looks like. If you are a young professional or an expat like I am, then this housing is probably not the ideal accommodation you can find unless you are staying for a short period (which is not allowed for those over 28, minimum is 1 year).

[UPDATE] The team responded to the e-mail I sent them about my experience with a nice and understanding tone. The issue is now resolved and a refund will be issued. I will not be moving forward with my application. Would I recommend Our Domain in the future? Yes, only for students.

Thank you for reading and good luck on your apartment hunt!