Water Filter in a Rental Property: The 3 Best Options (2026)

Why renters think a water filter is not possible

Many renters assume that a water filter for a rental property is impossible. This perception is true for certain types of filters, but not for all. The misunderstanding arises because the most well-known filter systems indeed require extensive installations.

A reverse osmosis filter requires a hole in the countertop, a separate filter faucet, a drain for wastewater, and an electrical connection. A water softener or central filter system is installed directly into the main water line. Such installations are unsuitable for rental properties, simply because you will not get permission from your landlord for permanent modifications.

But there are good alternatives that renters overlook: inline water filters and faucet filters that can be installed in minutes without any damage to the property. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, over 42% of Dutch households live in rented accommodation. For all these households: clean filtered water is within reach.

Which water filters are suitable for rental properties?

There are four types of water filters that work in a rental property. They differ in filtration performance, ease of use, and price. Below is an honest overview.

Inline water filter under the sink

An inline water filter connects to the existing cold water line under the sink via a push-fit connection. No drilling is required. The filtered water flows through the existing kitchen faucet, so you don't need a separate faucet. Installation takes 5 to 10 minutes. When you move, you disconnect the filter and take it with you. This is by far the most powerful filter option for renters: a good inline filter removes 100 or more contaminants.

Faucet filter (on the faucet)

A faucet filter screws directly onto the spout of your existing kitchen faucet. Installation takes 2 to 5 minutes, without tools. You can easily switch between filtered and unfiltered water. Disadvantage: not all faucet types are suitable, the filter lifespan is shorter (600 to 1,200 liters per filter) and the filtration is more limited than with an inline filter. Faucet filters typically filter chlorine and lead, but do not remove PFAS or pharmaceutical residues.

Gravity water filter

A gravity water filter stands on the counter and does not require a connection to the pipes. You fill the top reservoir with tap water, which then passes through the filter by gravity. Advantage: no installation, no power, easy to move. Disadvantage: you have to refill the reservoir manually and the filter capacity per use is limited. Gravity filters offer good filtration but are slower to use than an inline system.

Filter jug (water filter pitcher)

A filter jug like Brita is the most basic alternative. No installation, no connection. You fill the jug, the water slowly filters through. Brita primarily filters limescale, chlorine, and some heavy metals. PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceutical residues are barely or not removed by standard water filter jugs. For a renter with limited space, it is an entry-level option, but certainly not the most effective choice.

PureFilter inline water filter: how does it work for renters?

The PureFilter Mineral+ is an inline water filter specifically designed for easy installation, including in rental properties. The system connects to the cold water line under your sink via a push-fit coupling: no glue, no soldering, no drilling.

When moving, you unscrew the coupling, reconnect the original water line, and take the filter with you. The property looks exactly as it did at the start of the tenancy. No traces, no damage, no discussion with the landlord.

What distinguishes the PureFilter from faucet filters and gravity filters: the filter is certified according to NSF 42, 53, 61, and 372. These are the strictest international drinking water standards. The filter removes more than 100 contaminants, including chlorine, lead, PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceutical residues, and heavy metals. In addition, its Swedish Mineral Rock technology adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium to the filtered water. This gives you not only purer but also more mineral-rich water directly from your existing faucet.

At PureFilter, we see that customers in rental properties specifically choose the PureFilter due to the combination of powerful filtration and the ability to take the filter to their next home.

Benefits of filtered water in your rental home

Lead pipes in older rental properties

Renters often live in older buildings more frequently than owner-occupiers. In homes built before 1970, lead pipes may still be present. Lead dissolves in water and has no taste, color, or smell. You won't notice it, but it accumulates in your body. The RIVM points out that lead is harmful to the brain, especially in children and pregnant women. As a renter, you have no influence on the condition of the pipes in your property. A good water filter is then the practical solution.

Chlorine and taste

Dutch tap water is treated with chlorine by drinking water companies to kill bacteria during transport. This is safe and legally required, but chlorine gives water a characteristic taste that many people find unpleasant. An inline water filter removes almost all chlorine, making the water taste fresher. Vewin, the industry association for drinking water companies, confirms that chlorine concentrations can vary greatly by region.

Cost versus bottled water

An average household spends 500 to 800 euros per year on bottled water. The PureFilter Mineral+ costs 149.90 euros once. The replacement filter costs from 49.90 euros and has a capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 liters. For an average household of four people, that's more than a year's worth of filtered water. Compared to bottled water, you save the purchase price back in just a few months, and you simply take the filter with you to your next home.

Minerals for better taste and health

Ordinary filters remove contaminants but also strip useful minerals from the water. The Swedish Mineral Rock technology in PureFilter adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium back into the filtered water. Magnesium contributes to the normal functioning of muscles and the nervous system. Calcium is essential for bones and teeth. The result is water that is not only purer but also has a better mineral balance than standard tap water or bottled water.

Points of attention for a water filter in a rental property

Check the angle stop valve

For an inline water filter, you need an angle stop valve under the sink so you can temporarily shut off the water supply during installation. Most homes built after 1980 have an angle stop valve as standard. Check this beforehand by looking under the sink: you're looking for a small tap on the water pipe that you can turn by hand.

Faucet type for faucet filters

If you choose a faucet filter instead of an inline filter, check if your faucet has a standard thread (M22 or M24). Designer faucets, pull-out spray heads, and sensor faucets are generally not suitable for faucet filters. An inline water filter connects to the pipe itself and has nothing to do with the faucet type, making it suitable for almost any kitchen situation.

Filter replacement

A PureFilter replacement filter lasts 15,000 to 20,000 liters, which for most households amounts to 12 to 18 months of use. Schedule replacement in time to ensure continuous filter performance. Replacing the filter cartridge takes 2 to 3 minutes and requires no tools.

Comparison table: water filter options for renters

Which filter option best suits your situation as a renter? The table below compares the five most common choices based on the aspects most relevant to renters.

Buying advice: which water filter do you choose as a renter?

For most renters, an inline water filter under the counter is the best choice. You get the most powerful filtration, water directly from your existing faucet, no hassle with refilling reservoirs, and a filter that you can take with you to every next home. The PureFilter Mineral+ combines this with the unique Swedish Mineral Rock technology for more mineral-rich water.

Do you have an older home with an awkward cabinet under the sink or a faucet type without a screw thread? Then a gravity filter is a good alternative. Your filter performance is slightly less broad, but the flexibility is maximum.

A Brita pitcher is acceptable as a temporary solution, but offers too limited filtration for tenants who want to protect themselves against PFAS, drug residues, or lead from old pipes. Also consult the PureFilter FAQ for additional questions about installation and choice.

Frequently asked questions about water filters in rental homes

Conclusion: a water filter in a rental home is very well possible

Installing a water filter in a rental home is easier than many people think. The idea that you, as a tenant, cannot install a water filter is true for osmosis filters and fixed systems, but certainly not for inline water filters and tap filters. These can be connected in minutes without drilling, without permanent changes, and without landlord permission.

The PureFilter Mineral+ offers tenants the best combination: powerful filtration of 100 or more contaminants, NSF-certified performance, addition of minerals via Swedish Mineral Rock, and an installation of 5 to 10 minutes that can be taken with you every time you move. Especially for tenants in older buildings with a risk of lead pipes, a reliable water filter is not a luxury, but a wise investment.

With annual filter costs of around 50 euros and a purchase price of 149.90 euros, the PureFilter is also a financially logical choice for tenants compared to regularly buying bottled water. View the best water filter overview for more comparisons and advice.