An HONEST Talk: 3 Tips to nail RENTING AN APARTMENT in Germany

This video discusses tips that can help you rent an apartment in Germany. We also talk about the things you should be looking out for, what mindset to have, why renting might be your best option, and so much more!
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We know how frustrating and painful it might be to move to a new country, especially if you don't fully speak the language. That's why we created Simple Germany.
Simple Germany provides tips & information in English about living in Germany as an expat. We talk about services that are friendly and easy to use to beat German bureaucracy. We also cover the cultural aspects of living in Germany. All of this brought to you from the eyes of an expat and a German duo. We want to help you settle in Germany more smoothly.🍻
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#expats #germany #expatsingermany #lifeingermany #expattips

[@Julia-ui5lw]

Girls, the format speaking straight to camera is nicer than "interview" style

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for sharing your opinion 😊

[@fleazapp]

It's crazy how prices have skyrocketed... I have friends renting for 600,700 because they have old contracts, and my new contract is double to that, cutting 40% of my net income. 😢

[@Lisa-zu8fi]

My experience: My husband and I have excellent credit scores, stable income for 25+ years, never late on a rent payment. We've been looking for a long term place to live and would provide a reliable, steady rental income for a property owner, yet we've been evicted from three different properties when the owner retired and chose to sell. Twice this happened shortly after we moved in, within a year, year and a half. Once the owner knew the property was for sale and didn't disclose. Each time we moved it cost between 3-4k total, so that's approximately 10k down the drain because we rented from someone nearing retirement age who apparently wanted to liquidate their assets. Something to keep in mind.

[@Visitkarte]

Fun fact: once I lived in a camping for over a year in Germany (with a fixed yearly contract) and I could get a Meldebescheinigung on that address. It was a fun experience. I worked very near that camping in a hospital as a physician and I always said: I am temporarily here, just staying for a year and I have my own home in Switzerland“ but I guess they wanted my taxes. 😉

[@user-lb3gz3zq7s]

I just settled for a temporary housing situation in Heilbronn where I'm about to do the Anmeldung. I have been looking and messaging people in German already for several months for a place in either of Stuttgart, Heilbronn or somewhere in between, and I find it brutal that I was quite simply ghosted every single time. So, yep, I don't see any alternative to the transient settling phase of several months you suggest prior to aiming for better long-term solutions. The rental market seems even more brutal here than in France.

[@valeriet5581]

I guess we are very lucky that my husband's company is going to lease a house or apartment on our behalf in Dusseldorf and will guarantee payment of rent.

[@VidimusWolf]

I really appreciate the great effort you two put into your videos, they are seriously awesome. Just my opinion on the new format: I think it is neither better nor worse than the previous, it is just different in the sense that it conveys a more professional and serious, but also more detached message. It's like watching two people discuss and is less immersive than when you speak directly to us, the viewer. I personally don't enjoy podcast-style things much but felt more "warmth" and "friendliness" and "openness" when you spoke directly to us!

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for sharing your opinion 😊

[@Heydd00]

Never been to Germany, but I am an immigrant, and I guess it's like with the other Euro countries when it comes to immigrants trying to find the apartment. You will never be anyone's first choice, and you have to accept that. It should be a part of the honest talk. Whether the reasons for it are sensible or not... the language, different cultural norms, justified fears or outright xenophobia and racism. It all plays a role. That's why it's kind of sad people have to tip-toe around landlords and depend on their mercy. Government should get involved if they need more foreign workers.

[@berlinorama]

The long lines for flats in Berlin definitely exist. I went to see a one-room place for a friend in my own neighborhood and it was cheap but a complete dump (last renovated in the 1980s, run down, dark). There was a long line of people ranging from refugees and students to middle-aged employees with regular jobs waiting to look at it;-(( A really big issue nowadays is housing scams, and especially people coming from abroad are targeted by criminals. You really need to be very careful, never pay anything in advance unless it is to a reputable agency etc. Often combined with identity theft.

[@vaggelissakellaris8093]

Housinganywhere and spotahomee are safe ?

[@berlinorama]

@@vaggelissakellaris8093 as far as I know they are legitimate companies. Overpriced, but any short-term housing that allows an Anmeldung will be.

[@VishalKumar-rd3kz]

I notice that when ever they speak they see each other..now you can see each other all the time without turning your head ❤😉

[@ingridwarkentin4009]

Hi!! My husband and I are moving from Brazil to Freiburg by the end of the month. I'm moving for my work. Your videos are helping us a lot! We decided to rent a temporary apartment to deal with all the bureaucracies and start looking for a long-term apartment. They say Freiburg is a tough city to get apartments because is a student city, but we hope that with your tips we can get one! ;) thanks and thank you for the kind words! In the community we always find someone pushing us down because of all the things we have to do, organize, think...

[@simplegermany]

Exciting times! We wish you a very smooth move! 😊 Of course, times can be tough and things won't be easy, but the attitude and mindset we have impacts a lot of the experience 😊 Oh and Freiburg is beautiful!

[@faraihandina7732]

True... All true... but i guess it does depend on the markert you are looking for. I guess the higher end houses which you pay significantly more (3000 and more cold rent) it becomes easier to get a house, with significant smaller red tape

[@theloveofsound]

I’m planning on moving to Stuttgart this year. I’m digesting these videos.

[@Hobbymusiker84]

I wish you a happy new Year, girls! Please continue the good work, I am not a smoother (big fan), but I am watching your videos, and you are very inspiring, especially for new immigrants in Germany

[@mrkingsudo]

Awesome video. I like the fancy camera work, too! As an American with several years of "70%+ of the income goes to rent" lifestyle, some of these prices sound like a dream come true lol.

[@christineherbig9008]

Hi. I love your channel. You give so much information and great details about moving to Germany. Is your ebook in English, Spanish or Deutsch? Do you know anything about the Freiburg area? That's where I am looking to move so any information would be helpful.

[@OmkarPattanshetti]

Thank you so much specially for the strategy part!

[@web_jar6630]

This format is very interesting, I like it. In my opinion discussions like these help in recalling some important information/event related to the topic that might go missing in the normal format. Great work :)

[@freyjav6055]

Thank you again for another great video! I'm moving to Germany in a few weeks and your videos really help! I'll utilize your website for help with finding a job 🙌

[@isaacisgrateful4life]

Happy new year Jen and Yvonne. I pray this year will be amazing for you. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@joannunemaker6332]

I love this video. Very good strategies are mentioned here. Great advice. Happy New Year to you both.😊❤

[@dodosan7262]

Thank you

[@GermanInsider]

Cool idea about the book. I would buy one 5 years ago).

[@QAKS1264]

Happy new year Jen and Yvonne.

[@turjo119]

I like how this video address the topic in a very straightforward manner about the realities of finding an apartment. Eventually I will have to move out of a dorm when i get a job but I hadn't yet considered how the whole process would be again. My first time was rather difficult one but now that I'm armed with so much knowledge, all thats left is getting a stable job and making a good impression ( the latter of which I think I do a decent job of 😉) Greetings from the New Year and looking forward to the next one! ❤

[@freddyjafar1490]

happy new year peeps

[@rolajaber9276]

Great videos as always ladies! and so true. i was often told (specifically here in Berlin) to be the least picky i can be. i have a small request though, knowing how expensive rents are nowadays. Can you please if possible create a video about the importance (advantages/disadvantages) of joining a Mieterverein for example? and even working with companies like the famous "conny" that can help lower your rent if your rent was really illegally very high?

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for the suggestion 😊

[@donjohn2239]

Looking forward to this.

[@user-kb9cg2xq9p]

Okay I'm gonna go get that book now

[@DevendraGuptaProfile]

Just one advice to be on the safe side, don't move during your probation period.

[@airtonsilva8006]

Great video! I moved to Germany 6 months ago and I was lucky enough to get an apartment that belongs to the university where I currently work. It is a fully equipped apartment, which made life so much easier for a foreigner arriving in Germany. The maximum stay is 2 years, so next year I will need to find a place outside the campus and your video (and book) will both be helpful to nail a place!

[@abdulrahimabbas9882]

An honest review, I like you guys and I would like to meet you. anyway, the previous way of videos is better than interviews or podcasts way. Thank you for the information.

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for sharing your opinion 😊

[@MariaLuisaZap]

Hola! Un Video más 10 de 10 🙌🏻🙌🏻. Seguimos sus recomendaciones, y nos va bien con las primeras aplicaciones. Hemos encontrado un apartamento nuevo con una Inmobilien, deberiamos temer a contratos de renta directos con Inmobilien en Alemania??? Alguien tiene experiencias con este Tipo de contratos??

[@BloatwareInc]

During a renovation of our primary suite, my wife and I shared a room with our two youngest children for about a month and it was totally doable. I understand that this would not be possible in Germany as there are certain laws or guidelines that require a certain amount of space per person/child? Ultimately, I don't think it's going to be picky per se, but that my requirements are pretty high with my family of 5. and EXPENSIVE

[@benedictmoreno4729]

Great Info video! I will be working at LRMC, where do you recommend we rent a home? Any thoughts on Bann or Haupstuhl?

[@TheCreatorsFootsteps]

Thank you for the wonderful content. Im wanting to move to the apartment which is very close to sbann does this mean the sound from train will be bearable inside the house?

[@simplegermany]

It depends on the house and other circumstances. Go view the flat and find out for yourself 😉

[@TheCreatorsFootsteps]

@@simplegermany Thank you for your comment. I wish you two the best in your journey. You girls 🪨 !!!

[@Anton-bg6rr]

Happy New Year! Thank you for this video, but I have a question. Does it make sense to hire agent to seek apartments? I heard, that owner pays agent for his job, not a tenant. Thank you)

[@simplegermany]

The one who hires the agent pays the fee. So if you hire an agent you pay. If the landlord hires an agent they pay.

[@fernandoiturralde6051]

Good day Jen and Yvonne! Do you recommend better Scout24 or WG Gesucht for a WG rent for 1 single person?

[@simplegermany]

Check both to increase your findings 😉

[@anirbanbhowmick88]

What strategy should someone follow?, who studied in germany as a student and now after finding a fulltime job he/she wants to bring his/her spouse on a fmily reunion visa. In such case an apartment is required suitable for a couple for the spouse to get her visa

[@simplegermany]

Correct. Same strategy as we describe 😊

[@codefields]

I wonder how common is to renegotiate the rent after few months you proved to be a good tenant, specially on apartments that are clearly overvalued.

[@simplegermany]

In our opinion it is not a common practice in Germany.

[@karinland8533]

Never heard that happened.

[@codefields]

@@karinland8533 I hope to be the first to achieve it 😅

[@berlinorama]

I have friends who did that successfully in Berlin, but it was about 15 years ago, before it became so hard to find an apartment. They were clearly paying too much and threatened to move out if the rent wasn't lowered. I don't think that would work in today's market, sadly. However, if you are brave you can contest your (cold) rent based on the Mietspiegel. Always join a tenants' rights association first so everything you do is legally watertight.

[@codefields]

@@berlinorama thank you, yes but in the worst case what I will do if they don't want to lower it is just to try finding something else. Unfortunately I'm those very picky ones (Munich, with garden, 3 rooms) prices are pretty much insane here when you look at the price/value ratio.

[@Fani.Christie]

Just dropped by to look at newer comments here. I cannot confront the way some people feel about your newly developed format of Honest Talk. Comparisons to a podcast or an interview aren't detatched from reality, but this is neither. It is a topic you have already discussed and dissected to great details, at least once. Also where you didn't lack any... uhm "warmth". I highly disagree with that argument in whatever it was attempting. So here's my idea. The broader setting of you facing each other to discuss is fine! Completely. At some point you can cut it and 'suddenly' have either of you saying something to the camera alone, like a high point that you're making, something brief but definite to which the flow of talking has come. And then continue talking to each other. This way you would have all at once your trademark of giving drop-dead tips combined with getting personal and getting real with own experience, own words of how have you felt while gaining a certain experience. Anyway. I remember once I mentioned how I missed of you doing part 2's every now and then. Well, guess not anymore. I find the Honest Talk even better.😉Don't abandon it. Give it time.. you know, to sink in.

[@simplegermany]

Thanks Fanny 😊 that’s why we experiment. And everyone is free to share their opinion.

[@n1vca]

Zappendusterland 🤣 don't the Americans say BFE? Can you please translate that? ... just kidding, better don't. You ladies are very smart and funny 👍 My personal dream team! Have a wonderful 2024 and please stay the way you are! 😘

[@simplegermany]

It’s one of Jen‘s favorite German word inventions 😉

[@n1vca]

@@simplegermany By the way I like this new dialog format

[@raoufannab]

Great tips as always guys, but can I just say that Jen looks like she's under arrest and being investigated 😅😅

[@simplegermany]

Is the sweater too much? 😅

[@Fani.Christie]

@@simplegermany 😂😂Yeah, Jen, maybe next time put on a sweater with a bull on a sunny beach enjoying a cocktail. I had to look again to understand the "too much" reference. 🤣🤣So also don't wear a snow tiger.

[@ito2246]

It makes sense that apartments are harder to find for cats and dogs but how about caged animals like reptiles?

[@krugerfuchs]

What happens when people retire I want to build my own house this is no good not stable enough

[@karinland8533]

I’m not sure what your question is. German leases are usually with out ending times. The longer you rent the flat, the longer the notification times for ending the lease are. Building houses is pretty expensive in Germany.

[@madinaa3868]

The real pro tip is to be in relevant whatsapp group chats

[@pourdamghani]

Sorry, but the thumbnail of this video is terrible. Over the last 10 days, everytime that I see it in my subscription page on KZbin, I say to myself "WHY?". I didn't like it from day of upload, but I thought maybe it was because of that day and it would grow on me. It didn't. I am not sure if it was intentional for clickbait, but I do not think it would be worth it even if it worked (you can tell better). So I wished it would have been changed... As you know, I am super fan of you two, and I am writing this because I care :)

[@simplegermany]

Thanks for sharing your opinion ☺️