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Planning to rent in Germany – here’s a complete guide

There isn’t a difficult endeavour like moving to a new location. Typically, the entire process is difficult and draining, especially if it is your first time. Those who have already done it might believe they are familiar with the procedures needed to rent a place. But if you intend to rent in Germany, you still need all the assistance you can obtain. Fortunately, this tutorial is created to do just that for you. Anyone unfamiliar with the German rental process can find all the necessary information here. You will have a thorough understanding of each step you must follow after reading this article.

German rental statistics

One of the developed nations in Europe, Germany is renowned for its advancements in both technology and industry. Even though the nation’s economy has expanded over the years, people still favour renting over buying a property. Germany’s house ownership rate, which is relatively low for a developed nation, is only 43%, according to data. People who live in rentals make up the remaining percentage.

Which choice is ideal for ex-pats? Purchase or Rent?

One of the developed nations in Europe, Germany is renowned for its advancements in both technology and industry. Even though the nation’s economy has expanded over the years, people still favour renting over buying a property. Germany’s house ownership rate, which is relatively low for a developed nation, is only 43%, according to data. People who live in rentals make up the remaining percentage. Make sure to stay outside the centre if you want to save a few euros. If you are planning to stay for a while but not for very long, you should rent a house instead of buying one because they are too expensive.

websites that offer German apartments for rent

The hardest thing for ex-pats moving to Germany is typically finding a property to rent. Renters who don’t want to spend a lot of time looking for rentals frequently hire brokers to handle it for them. However, numerous websites are devoted to assisting people in finding unoccupied homes that are available. Simply go to the website and conduct a city-by-city search. There are flat shares available for folks who don’t want to pay as much in rent each month.

houses available for rent to tourists in Germany

It is generally advisable to choose furnished temporary flats if you are only travelling to Germany and do not want to stay for an extended period. The majority of these residences are shared flats. You won’t have to spend a lot of money on furniture for your new home if you work with them. Additionally, moving in will be simpler than renting an apartment. Subletting is the alternative for those looking for something decent but short-term. It should please you to know that subletting is permitted in Germany. All you need to do is locate a great, fully furnished apartment that someone is prepared to let you rent for a set period.

A closer look at German rental apartments

You can obtain a list of rental apartments in Germany by visiting any of the aforementioned portals. Typically, the list includes the address, the number of bedrooms, the type of kitchen, and the year the home was built. However, the year of development is infrequently mentioned. You should be aware that rental apartments are frequently vacant areas when you conduct your search. This implies that neither curtains nor furnishings will be present. As a result, you will need to buy those items when you move in.

Additionally, you will need to install the lighting and make other fundamental additions. You will have the choice of choosing whether you want to live in an apartment building, a townhouse, or a farm. A tower block is an option if you don’t mind having a lot of neighbours. This is typically a large apartment complex that rises a few stories high. You can proceed and acquire the paperwork required to rent in Germany once you have searched and decided which rental home you would like to occupy. These consist of:

  • Credit history
  • Photocopies of ID
  • Report about your prior landlord
  • evidence that you are at a job that pays well
  • a request form provided by the landlord

The majority of these documents are required, but some, like the report from your prior landlord, are especially unnecessary if you’ve just arrived in the nation by plane. All you need to do is explain on your application why you don’t have it. You can usually move in right away after the processing is finished.

What is in a German tenant notice?

Landlords in Germany frequently have a tenant agreement, just like in any other nation. Before moving into your new flat, you will have to sign the contract. Keep in mind that the tenancy agreement may only be obtained when the landlord has processed and accepted the aforementioned tenant paperwork. So what exactly does a tenancy agreement cover? To begin with, the leasing agreement typically contains the apartment’s rules. This can involve always keeping the residential environment spotless. Typically, a renter relocating to a block apartment or a flat sharing must follow this guideline.

Additionally, the agreement says that you are responsible for any damage you do to your flat. Additionally, some guidelines or circumstances can result in your eviction as well as ways to terminate your leasing agreement. In most German rentals, you need to offer three months’ notice to end the tenancy agreement. The same holds for notice of eviction. You are free to challenge the eviction notice in court if you believe it was issued improperly. The landlord cannot just decide to raise the rent one morning. He or she must have a compelling motive for doing so. Additionally, before enacting the rent increase, he or she is required to provide notice.

Germany’s apartment-renting procedure

Here is the procedure for renting a home in Germany now that you are aware of where to hunt for rentals and apartment sharing in Germany. You will first need to look for an apartment that you can rent. Once you’ve found one that meets all the criteria on your list, get in touch with the landlord. Establish a time and date for your visit to the flat. Keep in mind that that is the only way you can be sure that things turned out exactly as you had hoped. 

After viewing, collect all the paperwork needed to rent an apartment in the nation. The paperwork must first be verified by the landlord. The application form that the landlord will provide should be submitted with this. Read every available rule, as well as the consequences for breaking each rule. This is one method of preparing yourself with responses if your tenancy rights are violated. After you have read and comprehended the tenancy agreement’s terms, sign it. Paying a rent deposit, which is equal to three months’ worth of rent plus any additional utilities, is the next step.

No landlord should demand a deposit greater than three months’ worth of rent. You can move into your new rental flat as soon as that is finished. Additionally, you need to pay close attention to utility expenditures. This might involve, among other things, your water and electricity bills. Not all monthly rent payments include these utilities. However, they are mentioned and paid for separately from the rent on the agreement form.

What privileges do you have as a tenant?

Your legal rights as a tenant are very well-guarded. A tenant is more valued than a landlord in Germany. The national tenants association is a body that defends the rights of tenants. This organisation is always prepared to assist a tenant in need. The most frequent scenario involves a landlord evicting residents to raise the rent for the home or apartment complex. However, unless a tenant misses two consecutive rent payments, the landlord cannot evict them. He or she will then be permitted to issue you with an eviction notice.

German eviction laws can take so long to complete that some landlords will pay tenants to leave their properties.