Housing in Germany
Thousands of foreigners relocate to Germany every month due to its top-notch education system and work culture. Housing in Germany for students and families can be a bit complex with the multiple processes and formalities involved. Amongst all the EU countries, Germany has the lowest number of private property owners. In fact, over the past three decades, almost half of households were rented, and the other half -owned property.
Consider it this way, you’ve just relocated to Germany with your family and you aren’t familiar with the types of housing societies for rent in Germany. Additionally, you don’t know which documents are needed and the rental process involved across the region. Taking the above into consideration, we have shed some light on everything you need to know about housing in Germany along with the legal formalities involved.
Table of Content
Housing in Germany For Rent
Temporary Housing In Germany Overview
Since Germans tend to travel a lot, you will find a multitude of temporary housing alternatives in Germany available. And as discussed earlier, since the region’s education system is quite affordable and among the best education systems in the world, many students move to Germany seeking temporary housing for students in Germany
If you want to stay in Germany for a couple of days, temporary accommodation is a great solution. Tenants are allowed to rent to people for a short period of time in Germany. The search for the perfect home may be more challenging while you are still overseas because German landlords often want to see potential tenants before signing a lease.
What’s more? The practice of renting a temporary furnished apartment is very popular to make life easy for a smooth arrival. Once you’ve identified the kind of city you want to live in, you can then pick a specific neighborhood or area to call your own.
Here are some tips to consider when renting a temporary house in Germany
- You should draw up a rental contract for the time being, whether you are renting or leasing an apartment. A temporary contract is generally used when the landlord wants to move back into the place after the lease is up. On the other hand, an unlimited contract is used to a certain degree and is also often used for short periods of suspension for the tenant.
- you should request the contact details of your landlord in the case of an emergency. You should always speak with your landlord. It would be beneficial to keep in touch with the landlord even if he is out of the city during the rental period.
How to find temporary accommodation in Germany?
If your town has a Mitwohnzentrale, contacting them is a good approach to obtaining temporary housing, and you can find your apartment quickly and commission-free. These providers provide furnished rooms in Wohngemeinschaft and furnished flats for short-term periods ranging from one month to one year. When browsing for furnished apartments, you can find them for affordable rates on Tempoflat.
Long-Term Housing in Germany Overview
Renting out an unfurnished apartment is a common practice in Germany as many Germans are used to having their place completely stripped. If you’re looking for a long-term place to live, an unfurnished apartment might be your best option. What’s the best part? On the other hand, a fully furnished short-term place or sublet would suit you better if you are only going to be in Germany for a short time.
Why do people prefer to move to an unfurnished apartment? The freedom to decorate it the way you want is what you’ll get with renting an unfurnished apartment. Additionally, it’s quite easy to take advantage of the basic features of an unfurnished apartment if your goal is to have a specific look. Paint the walls according to your theme, add art, and pick the furnishings that complement your style.
A furnished long-stay apartment can be a perfect alternative for you if you travel to Germany for a long business trip, project, semester abroad, or trial term for your new employment. These accommodations can be rented for months or even years and are referred to as ‘löffelfertig’.
Documents Required For Housing in Germany for Rent
You cannot rent or purchase a place to stay in any country without legal documents and Germany is no different. By possessing the same, your owner can assure you that you’re a reliable renter and will help you to protect your responsibilities as a tenant.
- In almost all cases, a copy of your passport or photo ID is required to sign the contract and give the owner a photocopy of your ID or passport.
- You need to provide the Mieterselbstauskunft details about you such as your occupation, date of birth, and how many people will be staying on the property. This is necessary for all who have resided or rented in Germany.
- Credit record paperwork, also referred to as Schufa Selbstauskunft or Schufa Record, is a document that keeps track of your debts.
- Those who’ve never resided in Germany do not have a Schufa record because it begins immediately when you open a German bank account or sign the contract in Germany. If you don’t have a Schufa record, end up producing bank statements demonstrating that you’ve always paid your rent on time.
- Lastly, the owner will request the name of a guarantor if you don’t offer the above documentation. This person will guarantee that they will pay your rent if you can’t. It could be your mother or father, although the guarantor ought to be a German citizen
The German Tenancy Agreement
The tenancies in Germany can be lengthy. A landlord will most likely want an initial lease period of two years. Make sure the agreement has all the required information. Additionally, several tenancies include a long-term in them. The landlord can only end the lease through the courts if the tenant fails to provide three months’ notice. The renter can challenge the notice, which you can do if the landlord provides a valid reason for issuing the notice.
The German Tenancy Agreement also mentions that rent hikes should be justified unless the agreement states otherwise. There are few contracts that landlords can get where they are not able to continue renting after a certain time, so long as there is a good reason. Lastly, the tenant can give notice based on the contract. The initial contract period usually lasts just a brief three-month notice period.
How To Secure an Apartment In Germany Quickly?
The easiest way to find furnished and unfurnished housing is by searching online and browsing through some of the best renting and leasing websites in Germany. These websites incorporate numerous filters where you can search for furnished/unfurnished apartments and even apartments available for the duration you wish to stay.
Here are a few websites you could refer to –
- Immobilienscout24.de
- Immonet.de
- Immowelt.de
You should browse more than one website because not every property is available on all of these platforms. The second best way to find properties in Germany is through word of mouth.
Final Verdict
It can get difficult to find the right place to live when moving to a new country to pursue your education or settling down with your family. To make things easier for you, we have discussed everything you need to know about the different types of housing in Germany and which documents you will need to submit. Don’t forget to browse through the websites mentioned above and filter your search accordingly.
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