How to rent an apartment in Germany?

Most cities in Germany are typically overcrowded, which can lead to problems with rental housing. The process of finding it can be complicated if the foreign renter does not know the language, laws and mentality of the local population.

Rent price

Typical price of renting a two-room apartment in Germany is 500 euros. However, this cost does not include additional fees that have to be paid every month. These include the cost of garbage collection, fire insurance, parking and more. Usually their total amount is up to 250 euros.

Do not forget that when concluding a contract one will need to pay a deposit. The amount of the deposit typically equals rent for 1 or 2 months. When the tenant moves out this money should be returned to him, but this does not always happen since landlords find reasons to deduct part of the money as fines.

Additional terms

To rent housing in Germany it is important to fulfill all the conditions that are prescribed in the contract. They include:

• payment for accommodation (plus deposit), as well as prepayment for utilities;
• an indication of the expected length of stay;
• description of furniture and household appliances (list indicating the state);
• the amount of possible costs for carrying out current minor repairs, for example, plumbing (if residents pay it).

Also, the tenant must notify the owners about whether he plans to keep the animal in the apartment. This document is also accompanied by current meter readings, as well as documents - copies of a passport and visa (or residence permit), income and credit history certificates.