Unlocking the Door: Mastering the Apartment Search in Germany
You’re looking for an apartment in Germany? Have you already informed yourself about the cost of living in Germany?
Apartment hunting can be quite stressful. We’ve put together some recommendations for you.
Find Your Dream Apartment in Germany
With this overview, you are well-prepared for the apartment search in Germany.
If you need certified translations of your documents, we are here for you.
Apartment Search in Germany
There are different ways to find an apartment in Germany. First, ask yourself what you are looking for. Do you want to live alone or are you looking for an apartment for you and your family? Or do you want to live with people in a shared apartment, known as a WG?
Living in WGs is very common in Germany. The advantage of this living arrangement: it’s very affordable. You share the utility costs with your flatmates (heating, electricity, internet). Additionally, in a WG, you can easily meet new people who already know the city. And: you can learn German!
Websites for Apartment Hunting in Germany
First Step: You probably start your apartment search on the internet.
There are many apartment search portals online, with the largest ones including the following:
You can find shared apartments, for example, here:
On Facebook or Telegram, there are often groups for your city where you can find apartments or shared apartments. Simply type [‘WGs in’] + the name of your city in the search bar.
- "Make sure you can register with shared apartments."
Sometimes, shared rooms are rented out unofficially, and you may only receive a sublease agreement. However, for registration at the Bürgeramt, you need the official landlord confirmation, also called Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung.
Let's move on to the paperwork: the Selbstauskunft
You’ve visited the apartment, you like it. You contact the landlord to express your interest in the apartment. Typically, the landlord will now ask you to fill out a self-disclosure.
How do I obtain a self-disclosure form?
The Selbstauskunft is a form that you usually receive from the landlord.
You answer questions about yourself, which helps the landlord in selecting the right tenant. Often, you’ll need to provide personal information about your financial and family situation.
The questions are generally very similar and are sometimes available as a form on the website of the company renting out the apartment. You can print it out at home before the apartment viewing and fill it out, so you have your documents ready during the viewing. This way, you can make the process easier for yourself and your landlord, and also make a good impression.
The approval for the apartment is here – what now?
You got your apartment? Yeah! Congratulations!
Before moving into your new apartment, you’ll arrange a date for the handover with the landlord.
If renovation work was done in the apartment after the last tenants moved out, it’s recommended that these are completed by the handover appointment, so you can document the condition of the apartment in the protocol.
Protocol!?
Yes – you heard that right. During the handover, you and the landlord will walk through the apartment together and note down all defects as precisely as possible. If you notice anything that your landlord overlooked, be sure to point it out. Additionally, the values of the water, electricity, and heat meters are recorded in the handover protocol.
Two pairs of eyes see more than one – so we recommend bringing along another person to accompany you during the handover. If everything is documented in the protocol, you’re on the safe side. This way, you can avoid having to cover costs from the previous tenant or being charged for damage during your own move-out, which you didn’t cause.
Here's a checklist for you on what to look out for during the handover:
- What are the readings on the water, electricity, and heat meters, possibly also the gas meter?
- How many keys are handed over? Do the room doors have their own keys?
- Are there built-in furniture?
- Are there any defects?
- Does the light work in all rooms?
- Does the water work in the kitchen and bathroom?
- Do all windows and doors close properly
- Are the bathroom and kitchen tiles in good condition?
- Is there mold on the ceiling or walls?
At the apartment handover, be sure to mention anything you notice. Don’t let yourself be unsettled.
If you later disagree with the landlord about the condition of the apartment when you moved in, the handover protocol serves as important evidence.
By the way, the same thing happens when you move out:
You arrange a date and go through the apartment with your landlord. Therefore, make sure the apartment is clean and in good condition when you leave. Then there should be nothing standing in the way of getting your deposit back.
If you want to have your documents translated as part of your apartment search, we’ll be happy to take care of that for you. That way, you can focus on everything else.
