Berlin
Rent house or flat in Berlin
Housing Market
Most people in Berlin, and in most German cities, rent accommodations for their whole life. More than half of all Germans live in rented accommodation. This means there is an extensive variety of flats all over the city. Note that most flats are rented bare- as in bare of light fixtures, flooring, kitchen essentials (sink, oven, etc.). The considerable cost in setting up an apartment mean that Germans rarely move, or engage in situations like sublets, trades (Tauschangebot), and nachmieter (take over a complete apartment by buying their things).
From modern and chic, to beautiful classics, to Bohemian flophouses- Berlin has it all. Reasonable housing prices, especially for a European capitol, has brought foreigners to the city and grudgingly the city is slowly gentrifying. Because of this increasing demand, rents are slightly rising and competition (especially in the summer months when Berlin is at it's best) can be steep. Good deals go very fast.
West v. East
Although the city is no longer divided, many locals and expats still see a clear difference in sides of the city. Both sides have their pros and cons and it is up to you to decipher what fits your lifestyle. (For a detailed neighborhood, consult the "Geography", "Berlin" section).
West - Much more developed with an obviously more comfortable and stable history. There is less graffiti, more conservative people, and more couture shopping and high-class restaurants. There are more tourist destinations and it is also generally more expensive, both in rental prices and the average cost of groceries.East - Constant construction and change help define the grittier side of Berlin. The hip, young, counterculture mainly make their home in the East, claiming a different neighborhood as the coolest every decade or so.
Prices
Rented accommodation vary widely in price for reasons that are not obvious. A 450 euro apartment can come at shockingly different standards in different parts of the city. Prices are listed as "warm" or "cold".
Cold rent (Kaltmiete) - base rent only with no additional costs included
Warm rent (Warmmiete) - includes costs such as water, electricity, gas/coal, waste disposal services and sometimes even internet and cable.
Note that 1 room means studio, as in there is one main room, usually with a separate kitchen an bathroom (but the kitchen may also be located in the main room). A 2 room apartment usually includes a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
Expect to pay around:
1 room apartment in City Center - 450 euro
1 room apartment outside of the City Center - 400 euro
2 room apartment in City Center - 550 euro
2 room apartment outside of the City Center - 500 euro
Collectives
After the fall of the wall, Berlin experienced the heyday of squatting. Abandoned buildings were re-populated by whoever was brave enough to claim the space. German law is actually quite protective of squatters. The heyday is now officially over and the last of the squats are under siege. Local government have cleared out most squats, but come out with a compromise of collectives. These housing projects maintain a Bohemian, hippie vibe while offering low rents of 100 to 300 euros for a room. There is usually a mandated culture of sharing, both space and mentality in these locations.
How to Search for a Rental
- AB - Altbau / Old building. Pre-1945
- BK - Balkon / Balcony
- KM - Kaltmiete / Cold rent
- WM - Warmmiete / Warm rent
- NK - Nebenkosten / Extra costs
- BZ - Badezimmer / Bathroom
- ZH/GH/EH - (Zentral-/Gaz-/Etageheizung) / Central, gas and floor heating
Online Listing
Online listings can give you a feel for the market and allow you to determine if a place fits your specifications before you spend time going to look at it.
Newspapers
Several papers have a helpful classified's section.
- Berlin's Morgenpost
- Berliner Zeitung
- Tagesspiegel
- Zitty
- TIP
- Zweite Hand - Immobilien issue on Saturdays
Public Postings
There are often postings on public boards about rentals. There are bulletin boards in Humboldt University's main building, laundrettes, cafes, grocery stores, community centers, and bars all might have ads.
Expat and social forums and classified's are another resource for job seekers. You can get a realistic expectations of what it's like to live in Berlin as well as make helpful contacts. Check out Easy Expat's Classified's as well as the forum to connect with expats there.
Estate Agent
An estate agent can be a useful resource for finding the right place quickly. Some (especially higher-priced) places in Berlin are only listed with an agency. A good agent knows the legal pitfalls and has access to a variety of housing. An agent will provide you with a description of available properties, escort you to viewings, make sure your contract complies with expected standards. Look for agencies known as Mitwohzentrale or Mitwohnagentur to find these listings.
Contracts
Rental contracts (Mietvertrag) must be in writing. If the owner does not want to write out an agreement- insist. This is a vital step to protect yourself. Basic contracts are easy to find online.
Deposit
Known in German as the Kaution, it is usually equal to 2-3 months cold rent. This serves as security for any damage which has to be repaired after the flat is vacated. For long term rentals (over 5 years) it is expected that you will need to do major renovations. The tenancy agreement should cover the expectations in detail. It is a good idea to take pictures and video before moving into an apartment and once you leave to prove the status of the apartment. You should also do a walk through with the person or agent renting the flat.
For more information on local tenants' associations and legal rights: http://www.mieterbund.de/.
Registering
Residence Permits are required to live in Berlin and are necessary for everything from getting a mobile phone to applying for a visa. To get registered in Berlin, you need to set up an appointment with the Buergeramt. Choose the area closest to you and then click on the office. Click on "Termin buchen", which means "Book appointment" to choose day and time.
If moving to Germany: contact the new local Meldeamt and register the change of address (ummelden). This will automatically cancel the existing police registration (Polizeiliche Anmeldung) and record a new one.
If leaving Germany: contact your current Meldeamt to de-register (abmelden). Failure to complete the de-registration procedure could theoretically result in a fine if re-registering with the police at some point in the future.
Bring these documents to your appointment:
- Ergaenzungsblatt zur Anmeldung - Can be filled out at the office, or downloaded, and brought to the appointment.
- Passport or ID card
- Formular zur Anmeldung bei der Meldebehoerde
Notice
The period of notice (Kuendigung) should be dictated in the contract, but in general, if the tenancy is less than two years then the normal period of notice is three months. For between two and five years it is six months and over ten years requires a twelve-month notice period. You should inform the landlord in writing.
If the required notice period is not met, the landlord has the right to charge a fee (Weitervermietungsaufwand). Most landlords will agree to waive this if a suitable new tenant (Nachmieter) can be found to take on the contract.
For full information on leaving an apartment: http://www.wohnung-jetzt.de/service/wohnungslexikon/kuendigung.php.
Update 6/06/2011
Furnished apartments for travellers
Whether you are a student, an expat, or a business traveller, finding a suitable apartment in Berlin isn't always easy. HOMELIKE provides furnished apartments across Europe.
Furnished accommodations are apartments which are fully equipped with everything you need to live in Germany: kitchen, wi-fi, workspace, washing machines or laundry service... etc. They can be rented over an extended period of time and fully equipped with all necessity.
Characteristics of Homelike
HOMELIKE customers only need to bring their suitcases when moving to Berlin. All apartments include bed linen, towels and daily necessities (soap, shampoo, spices, etc.). In addition they provide workspace, high-speed internet, washing machine or laundry service and final cleaning service, all included in the rental price.
- Choice of accommodation (service accommodation, corporate housing, pet-friendly apartments)
- Flexible lease agreements (for 1 month to up to 2 years) and flexible payment options
- 100% Online booking process as simple as a Hotel with more flexibility and all-inclusive transparent pricing
- Dedicated Account Manager and customer support in 7 languages (English, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese)
03/02/2012
Successfully used Wg-gesucht.de
We have just moved into an apartment using Wg-gesucht.de. It is one of my favorite sites for searching for apartments.
Though it is geared toward wg (flatshare), it also has a section on sublets, nachmieter, & available apartments.
It has great search capabilities and ads are generally trustworthy. I have only used it in Berlin, but it is also available throughout Germany.
One other site that is useful for renting an apartment: http://kleinanzeigen.ebay.de/anzeigen/s-immobilien/berlin/c195l3331
Happy hunting!
Though it is geared toward wg (flatshare), it also has a section on sublets, nachmieter, & available apartments.
It has great search capabilities and ads are generally trustworthy. I have only used it in Berlin, but it is also available throughout Germany.
One other site that is useful for renting an apartment: http://kleinanzeigen.ebay.de/anzeigen/s-immobilien/berlin/c195l3331
Happy hunting!
Do you have comments or personal information to communicate about this article? Add your comment.
Find links about accommodation / rent house or flat in Berlin and a lot more in The links of expatriation.
Find more definitions and general answers on expatriation issues in the Expat FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).
Go to the Forum to talk more about rent house or flat in Berlin, accommodation.