How to find accommodation in Germany? Renting an apartment in Germany (Mietwohnung) can be a daunting task, especially for expats or international students who have just arrived in Germany. Whether in big cities like Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, or smaller cities like Freiburg, Marburg and Göttingen, cheap apartments for rent are always very hard to find. During peak seasons, such as the period before school starts, competition in the rental market will be very fierce.
When renting housing in Germany, a completely unfamiliar place, you need to consider various factors, such as location (Koordinate), rental price (Preis), rental environment safety (Umweltsicherheit), etc. If you are not careful, you will fall into a trap. So you must do some preparation before renting a house in Germany and understand the rental market. This article will provide a comprehensive guide for you to rent in Germany.
Part 1. Types of Apartments for Rent in Germany
Generally speaking, types of housing in Germany are mainly divided into single rooms/private apartments (Einzelapartment/zimmer) and shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaft, WG). If you’re a student, you can choose on-campus student residences, or off-campus student accommodation in Germany.
1. Student Accommodation (Studentenwohnheim)
Student accommodation is the first choice for many students. You can apply for an on-campus student residence, but it is always difficult to get a place. Then you can find and reserve off-campus student accommodation, which is purpose-built for students.
Student accommodations are usually located near universities, providing convenient access for attending classes. Rooms are usually fully furnished, including wardrobes (Kleiderschrank), beds (Bett), desks (Schreibtisch), and bookcases (Bücherschrank).
The money you pay is mostly an “All-in Price“. Utilities bills such as electricity, water, heating, and internet, are covered by your rent. Various room types are available to cater to different preferences and budget plans.
Some student apartments are shared by 2-4 residents, with a shared bathroom and a shared kitchen. Some are single rooms or studio apartments, with private bathrooms and private kitchens. The average rent for student accommodation in Germany is much lower than the normal cost of renting a house outside. The supply is limited and very popular, so you’d better book your room several months in advance. If you’re looking for student accommodation in Berlin, we recommend THE FIZZ Berlin, a well-designed accommodation provider. It offers comfortable living rooms and excellent communal spaces.
2. Private Accommodation (Einzelwohnung)
If you haven’t successfully gotten a student room, or you’re not a student, you can turn to social apartments for rent, and houses for rent in Germany. The private accommodation includes single flats, single rooms, studio apartments, and 1-bedroom apartments (Einzimmerwohnung).
Single apartments provide better private space and independence compared to shared accommodation. It’s ideal for individual tenants or couples, and also more expensive than shared accommodation. Here are some recommended apartments for rent that are comfortable and affordable: Village M. Charlottenburg, Village M. Wedding, 66 Monkeys Mühlenstraße.
3. Shared Accommodation (Wohngemeinschaft or WG)
A floorplan as an example
The shared accommodation, or in German “Wohngemeinschaft” (WG), is another popular choice for students or young professionals. A shared room typically refers to an individual space in a larger house or apartment for relaxing and working/studying. They have shared bedrooms (in some cases), shared kitchenette, and shared living spaces.
This option can be more budget-friendly. If you like to socialize, this is also a good opportunity to make new friends. uhomes.com provides the service to find roommates for you according to your requirements.
4. Host Family (Gastfamilie)
Host families in Germany are the ideal way to complement your trip as a tourist, student, gap year traveler, intern or weekend vacationer.
Tips: Altbau (Old Building) vs. Neubau (New Building)
In some information about apartments for rent in Germany, you may find the words “Altbau” and “Neubau“. You can choose according to your budget, location preference, style preference, and some other factors.
- “Altbau” means “old building”. It mainly refers to buildings that were built before World War II. These apartments in Germany are known for their character, with high ceilings, wooden floors, and historic details. Although with charming outlooking, they can be more expensive to heat and require more maintenance.
- “Neubau” means “new building”. On the other hand, Neubau are modern buildings constructed after World War II. They may be located in newly developed areas of cities or integrated into older neighborhoods with upgraded infrastructure. They often feature contemporary designs, energy-friendly systems, and modern amenities. Neubau apartments are often easier to maintain and may offer additional facilities and amenities like elevators and underground parking.
Part 2. How to Find Accommodation in Germany
Official Websites of Housing Providers
Many apartment chains have their own official websites. You can find detailed information about accommodation types, prices, locations, and facilities on the web pages. If you have any questions, you can directly contact them and know if the housing in Germany fits your needs.
For students looking for student accommodation in Germany, the official websites of their universities are very useful, including on-campus halls and off-campus flats. They can also provide advice and assistance on accommodation options.
Online Real Estate Website
Visit major online housing websites such as uhomes.com. These websites offer options for apartments for rent in Germany, and users can filter them by location, price, room type, long-term or short-term lease, etc.
These websites usually allow tenants to customize their search criteria to find the apartment that best meets their needs. Additionally, tenants can view photos, videos, and reviews of the apartments to get a better understanding of the actual conditions of those houses for rent.
Social Media and Forums
Renting a house in Germany based on experiences, advice, and word of mouth is also a good option. At least it can help you avoid renting a bad house to a large extent.
When someone is about to move out of the apartment, they usually recommend their friends or acquaintances to the landlord. Or they will post advertisements for subletting houses on social software and public platforms. In this way, the landlord does not have to worry about the house being vacant because of the search for new tenants, and you can also move into a satisfactory house faster and more conveniently.
Part 3. What Documents Do I Need to Rent an Apartment in Germany?
When you find a satisfactory house or apartment for rent in Germany, the next step is to sign a rental contract. Then what documents should you prepare? Let’s check the list.
- Copy of Passport/ID (Personalausweiskopie): A valid national ID card (German citizens) or a passport (foreigners). If you’re a student, you also need to provide a student certificate.
- Proof of Income (Einkommensnachweise): This could be your bank statement, pay slip or professional tax certificate. If you have no income, you can provide proof of income from your sponsor.
- Credit Record Documentation (Schufa Credit Report): Landlords usually ask tenants to provide a credit score report to prove their creditworthiness. This score can be obtained from the German credit scoring agency. A credit history document, also known as a Schufa Selbstauskunft or Schufa Record, is a document that records the trajectory of your debt.
- References/Previous Rental: If possible, a letter of recommendation from your former landlord will prove that you are a good tenant. This can increase your credibility. Especially when the rental market is competitive, this may increase your chances of getting a rental.
Part 4. Rental Terms & Vocabularies & Abbreviations in Germany
When selecting information for your housing in Germany, you will see many German terms, vocabulary, definitions, or abbreviations that you don’t understand.
An important concept is “An“, which means “Anmeldung“. When you move to a new city, you need to register to show that you are living somewhere in the city. For new students, they also need to provide an Anmeldung form issued by the city hall to prove that they have a fixed address. When you register, you will need a certificate from the landlord.
Here, we summarize a listing of some common rental terms.
| German | English | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| Wintersemester | Winter Semester | WS |
| Sommersemester | Summer Semester | SS |
| Hauptbahnhof | Central Railway Station | HBF |
| Universität | University | Uni |
| Kaltmiete | Cold Rent | KM |
| Warmmiete | Warm Rent | WM |
| Nebenkosten | Additional Costs | NK |
| Quadratmeter | Square Meters | QM |
| Altbau | Old Building | AB |
| Neubau | New Building | NB |
| Kaution | Security Deposit | KT |
| möbiliert | Furnished | Möbl. |
| Mietvertrag | Rental Contract | MV |
| Balkon | Balcony | BK |
| Garten | Garden | Gtn. |
| Einbauküche | Built-in Kitchen | EBK |
| Erdgeschoss | Ground Floor | EG |
| Gasheizung | Gas Heating | GH |
| Übergabeprotokoll | Handover Protocol | ÜP |
| Mieterhöhung | Rent Increase | MH |
| Einzugstermin | Move-in Date | EZT |
| Untermiete | Sublet | UM |
| Kündigungsfrist | Noticr Period | KF |
| Wohnfläche | Living Area | WF |
| Wohnberechtigungsschein | Subsidized Housing Permit | WBS |
| Zentralheizung | Central Heating | ZH |
| Etagenheizung | Floor Heating | EH |
| Wohngemeinschaft | Shared Accommodation | WG |
Part 5. Things to Consider When Renting an Apartment in Germany
When you rent apartments in Germany, whether you sign a written contract or book it online, you must read and understand the terms of the contract carefully before paying. Here are the key elements you must pay attention to:
1. Rent (Miete)
- Cold Rent (Kaltmiete): It means that the rent does not include any additional costs, such as water, electricity, heating, etc. You need to know exactly how much the cold rent will be each month before signing rental contracts.
- Warm Rent (Warmmiete): The warm rent covers all additional costs, i.e. water, electricity, heating, and waste disposal. The contract should clearly state the amount of the warm rent.
- Additional Costs (Nebenkosten): These are the additional expenses on top of the cold rent, including heating costs, water costs, property management fees, etc. You need to confirm which costs are already included in the warm rent and which costs need to be paid extra.
2. Deposit (Kaution)
The deposit is usually 1 to 3 months of cold rent, paid together with the first installment. This money is used to cover possible losses or repair costs during the lease and can serve as a guarantee for the landlord.
The deposit will be returned in full at the end of the tenancy if there are no problems. The amount, conditions, and time for the return of the deposit should be stated clearly in the contract.
3. Lease Term (Mietdauer)
- Fixed-term contract: It means The contract specifies the start and end dates of the lease and usually terminates automatically at the end of the contract.
- Periodic tenancy: It means the contract does not have a fixed term. The tenancy will continue as long as the agreed conditions are fulfilled. Tenants and landlords can terminate the contract at any time within the required notice period (usually a 3-month notice period).
- Pay attention to the early termination clauses. If you want to move out earlier before the end of the contract, you may need to find the next tenant (Nachmieter) or negotiate with the landlord in advance.
4. Use of House & Maintenance responsibilities
The rental contract will usually stipulate the use and responsibilities of the tenants when living in the house, such as maintenance responsibilities, regular cleaning, garbage disposal, etc. It should be specified in the contract which parts are responsibilities for landlords, and which are for tenants.
If the apartments for rent are furnished, the furniture listings should also be carefully checked and confirmed to avoid unnecessary disputes, and to ensure that there is no damage when moving out.
5. Record of housing conditions (Übergabeprotokoll)
When moving in, the landlord or agency will check the house’s status with you, and fill in a handover checklist. This is a very important document, recording all the current conditions of your apartment, which avoids disputes over the deposit in the future.
6. Rent Increase (Mieterhöhung)
Some rental agreements may include content about rent adjustments, especially long-term leases. So it’s better to find out under what circumstances the landlord can increase the rent and by how much.
7. Sublease (Untermiete)
If you’re moving out but don’t want to terminate the agreement (because it may cause losses, such as your landlord doesn’t give your deposit back), you can consider subletting your apartment to another tenant. It may be stated in the contract whether the subletting is permitted, and some relevant conditions. Generally, the subletting requires the landlord’s permission.
8. Early Termination and Notice Period (Kündigungsfrist)
If it is an open lease, both parties usually need to give 3 months’ written notice to terminate the contract. Pay attention to the specific terms and notification methods when terminating the contract to ensure that you can move out smoothly at the end of the contract.
Part 6. Conclusion
If you are looking to rent an apartment in Germany for the first time, you may have some difficulties and obstacles. Before searching, you need to learn the main types of accommodation in Germany, the price ranges of different types of housing, and the districts and neighborhoods of your city. Then you can select property listings better and faster.
At the same time, knowing the meaning of German terms is also crucial in the process of collecting information and signing rental contracts. For example, what are “cold rent”, “warm rent”, “Nebenkosten”, “Altbau”, “Neubau”, etc.
If you think it is too much trouble, you can just give this work to a rental agency, such as uhomes.com. Our professional consultants will help you do these things so that you can move directly into the reserved apartment in Germany.
Part 7. FAQ
How to find accommodation in Germany?
You can apply for accommodation in Germany through a reliable online rental portal, such as uhomes.com, or you can contact a rental agency and tell them your requirements. Also, renting housing in Germany that your friends or acquaintances once lived in is a good idea.
Is it hard to find accommodation in Germany?
It depends on the location of the houses for rent in Germany. The rental market close to major universities, or in the downtown of big cities, is extremely competitive. The rent is also very high.
What is cold and warm rent in Germany?
The cold rent (Kaltmiete) means that the rent does not include any additional costs, such as water, electricity, heating, etc. It’s only the basic rent. And the warm rent (Warmmiete) covers all additional costs and utility bills, i.e. water, electricity, heating, and waste disposal (sometimes also maintenance fees).
Where is cheaper to rent in Germany?
Many cities with lower cost of living are located in the eastern and northern regions of Germany, such as Bielefeld, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Potsdam, Erfurt, etc.
