First week
Time
Weeks of searching · 1 day to sign
Cost
Up to 3 months' cold rent deposit
Difficulty
Hard
What to bring
Passport / ID
SCHUFA credit report
Last 3 payslips or work contract
Anmeldung or proof you can register at the new place
Not needed: A German guarantor, in most cases, funds or income usually suffice
Our pick
Compare all 6 →Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Build your application PDF
One file: ID, SCHUFA, payslips/contract, Anmeldung, and a short German cover note. Have it ready before you view anything.
- 2
Search and respond fast
Set alerts on WG-Gesucht and ImmoScout. Reply within the hour, be polite, and offer flexible viewing times.
- 3
View and stand out
Bring your folder printed to viewings. Landlords pick from complete applications handed over on the spot.
- 4
Sign, pay the Kaution, get the keys
Check Kaltmiete vs Warmmiete, confirm you can register at the address, pay the deposit into a proper Kaution account, and do a handover protocol.
Words you'll hear
Kaution
The rental deposit, up to three cold-rent months. Must be held in a separate account and earn interest in your name.
Kaltmiete
"Cold rent", the base rent before utilities. The number rent caps and deposits are calculated on.
Warmmiete
"Warm rent", cold rent plus Nebenkosten (heating, water, building costs). The figure you actually pay each month.
SCHUFASHOO-fa
Germany's credit-score agency. Landlords routinely ask for a SCHUFA report before handing over a flat.
Common questions
How much deposit can a landlord ask for?
Up to three months' Kaltmiete (cold rent). It must be held in a separate interest-bearing account in your name, not spent by the landlord.
What does "Anmeldung nicht möglich" mean in a listing?
You can't register your address there, which blocks your most important admin. Avoid those listings unless it's a very short-term stopgap.
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