Understand housing and renting

What do you need?

Before you sign a rental contract, don't only look at the basic rent. Extra costs, the deposit, contract terms and possible further costs matter just as much.

Before you sign

Go through the contract calmly and clarify these points:

Who is the landlord and who is named in the contract?
Which flat or room exactly is being rented out?
When does the tenancy start?
Is the contract for a fixed term or open-ended?
How high are the basic rent and the other monthly costs?
Are there special rules such as a minimum rental period, stepped rent or index-linked rent?
Read the whole contract before you sign. If any clause is unclear, clarify it beforehand.

What do you really pay each month?

Two German terms are common on the housing market.

Kaltmiete (cold rent): the basic rent for the flat, without the agreed operating costs.
Warmmiete (warm rent): usually the basic rent plus the agreed operating or additional costs.
Check carefully in the contract what is included. Electricity, internet and other contracts can come on top.
If you pay operating costs as a monthly advance payment, they are generally settled once a year. After that there can be an additional payment or a refund.

How does the deposit work?

For residential housing, an agreed rental deposit may generally not exceed 3 months of net cold rent.

Net cold rent means: the rent without the operating costs shown as an advance payment or flat rate.
You may pay a cash deposit in 3 equal monthly instalments. The first instalment is due at the start of the tenancy.
Do not transfer the deposit prematurely, before a genuine rental contract exists.

What about SCHUFA or credit checks?

Landlords often want to know whether the rent is likely to be paid reliably. That is why a credit reference can be requested during the application process.

Do not send extensive personal financial data unasked at first contact.
If a reference is needed, use one that is meant for renting and contains only the information needed for that purpose.
Your full free data copy from a credit agency usually contains far more personal information than a landlord needs for the decision. SCHUFA is also not the only credit agency.

Proof of income and guarantees

Depending on the landlord, proof that you can pay the rent may be requested later.

Proof of income.
Proof of how your studies are financed.
Possibly a guarantee (Bürgschaft).
Not every landlord asks for the same documents. Only share the information that is really needed for that particular step.

When you move in: record the condition

Document the condition right at the handover. That can help later if it is unclear whether damage already existed when you moved in.

Note existing damage and defects.
Take photos.
Record the meter readings.
Note how many keys you received.
If possible, confirm a handover protocol together.

Can you register there?

If the accommodation becomes your actual residence, you need your landlord's cooperation to register. They must issue you a landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).

How the registration works exactly is explained in the step “Register your address”.

Terms on this page

Tap a word. The terms stay in German so you recognise them in letters and forms.

This is orientation, not legal advice. Please check the details at the official source.

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