![\"Apartment](\"https:\/\/www.lemonade.com\/de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThese are the topics we\u2019ll be covering:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n- Where in Berlin should you look for an apartment?<\/a><\/li>
- Practical tips for finding an apartment in Berlin<\/a><\/li>
- Everything you need to bring to an apartment viewing <\/a><\/li>
- Some additional facts about renting an apartment in Germany<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Where in Berlin should you look for an apartment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re expecting a one-size-fits-all answer, sorry to disappoint. However, we can definitely offer you a guide: Together we\u2019ll review the most important criteria to help you decide on a \u2018Kiez\u2019 (aka city neighborhood in Berlin)\u2014including access to public transport, number of applicants per flat, and crime rate. Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public transport to the city center<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s the insider secret: Your new apartment should be located inside the \u2018S-Bahn Ring<\/a>\u2019, meaning it should be accessible by tram. Spoiler: If you\u2019ve arrived in places called Spandau, Koepenick or Marzahn, you\u2019ve veered too far from the city center.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re considering living in an apartment that isn\u2019t located in the heart of Berlin, you should at least make sure that it\u2019s got an accessible tram line that can get you there. Let\u2019s be honest\u2014you won\u2019t want to spend 90 minutes on public transportation just to be able to enjoy a glass of wine in Berlin Mitte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.lemonade.com\/de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-1-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNumber of applicants per apartment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know about the hottest neighborhoods? Just go with the areas people won\u2019t stop talking about, like: Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg or Neuk\u00f6lln, which are high up there on the coolness factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Btw, in 2021 Berlin Neuk\u00f6lln was ranked the 11th hottest neighborhood in the world by Timeout Magazine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, one downside to their popularity is that the hottest neighborhoods tend to attract the most applicants. A popular neighborhood means less of a chance to secure yourself a place to live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Immobilienscout24.de<\/em>, the largest German online marketplace for real estate, analyzed the number of candidates per apartment in a particular Berlin neighborhood in 2017\u20132018. They found that 836 (!) candidates applied for a 54 square meter (approximately 580 square feet) rental in Neuk\u00f6lln . Demand in Kreuzberg and Friendrichhain appeared to be similar, with an average of 635 and 595 applicants per apartment, respectively. In contrast, apartments in Wartenberg received the least applications (17 applicants per flat). <\/p>\n\n\n\nTake a look at the full (German) list here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCrime rate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBerlin\u2019s not Capetown or Acapulco, but there are still a few Berlin neighborhoods best avoided when strolling around alone at night. According to the Berlin police<\/a>, you should be cautious around these places:<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Alexanderplatz<\/li>
- G\u00f6rlitzer Park\/Wrangelkiez<\/li>
- Hermannplatz\/Donaukiez<\/li>
- Hermannstra\u00dfe\/Bahnhof Neuk\u00f6lln<\/li>
- Kottbusser Tor<\/li>
- Rigaer Stra\u00dfe<\/li>
- Warschauer Br\u00fccke<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Rent<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLast but not least, one of the most important aspects when looking for an apartment: Money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ok, rent is a tiny bit more complicated. But don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll get down to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Germany, two different types of rent exist: \u2018Warmmiete\u2019 (warm rent) and \u2018Kaltmiete\u2019 (cold rent). The former includes additional expenses such as electricity and water costs, whereas for the latter, amenities are excluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that we\u2019ve explained some basics\u2014what\u2019s a fair amount of money to pay for a rental apartment in Berlin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our answer: Check out the current \u2019Mietspiegel<\/a>\u2019 (Rent Mirror). The resource provides you with information regarding average local rent (beware: Kaltmiete) in certain neighborhoods. According to the Mietspiegel, the current average rent in Berlin is 23,39 \u20ac per square meter ( 10 square feet). <\/p>\n\n\n\nAt the low end, it starts from about 12 \u20ac per square meter in a neighborhood called \u2018Waidmannslust\u2019, all the way up to 43,09 \u20ac per square meter in \u2018Obersch\u00f6neweide\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
FYI, Berlin rent has increased around 39 % over the last 2 years! According to the Mietspiegel, the average local rent in 2020 was only 16,80 \u20ac per square meter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now that you\u2019ve (hopefully) narrowed it down to a few Berlin neighborhoods, you might want to live in, let the actual apartment hunt begin. We\u2019re kicking it off with some hands-on tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Tips](\"https:\/\/www.lemonade.com\/de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-3-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPractical tips for finding an apartment in Berlin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n- Be the early bird<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
As you probably know by now, Germans love being organized and planning ahead! The same applies to renting out their apartments. This means that you should start looking for a new apartment earlier rather than later. But what\u2019s considered early? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usually, once you\u2019ve made up your mind, you\u2019ll have to give your (former) landlord a 3 month notice before you plan to move out. So, you should start looking for your next Berlin apartment roughly 3 months in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Involve friends and acquaintances in the apartment hunt<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
German language nerd alert: In German, getting help from someone you know is called using \u2018Vitamin B\u2019\u2014where B stands for \u2018Beziehungen\u2019 (relationships). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does this mean? There\u2019s always your one friend who\u2019s roommates with this guy who might<\/em> have heard of a great new apartment listing. An additional plus to this method: Potential landlords might be more likely to consider your application if it comes with a recommendation from someone they actually know\u2014especially when it comes to expats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Use your digital network such as Facebook groups<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re brand new in the German capital and don\u2019t have any friends or acquaintances to help you find a suitable apartment, don\u2019t worry. There are tons of Facebook groups you can join for that purpose. Some great examples include: Freie Wohnung \/ WG in Berlin<\/em><\/a> <\/em> (if you already speak some German) or groups for expats such as Berlin Apartments – Rent – Share & Sell flats & apartments in Berlin<\/em> & apartments in Berlin<\/em><\/a> , or more general ones such as +Expats in Berlin+<\/em><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n- Make use of online marketplaces<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
You might have heard of them by now, but the most known German portals for your apartment hunt include: Immoscout 24<\/em>, Immowelt,<\/em> and Immonet<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFor Immoscout 24, it might be worth getting their subscription called \u2018Mieterplus+\u2019. It will allow you to gain an insight into all kinds of statistics as well as have your messages appear first in your potential landlord\u2019s postbox. Nice bonus: With the premium account, you\u2019ll be able to send in all of the needed docs in a super organized way (and make all the Germans very <\/em>happy!). <\/p>\n\n\n\nIn addition, you should set up alerts for all of these marketplaces\u2014so you can react straight away if you see a new listing pop up on your phone. Time\u2019s money when it comes to any apartment hunt\u2014but even more so for Berlin\u2019s highly competitive housing market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Check out some alternative channels<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re currently a student, your university might offer an updates board where people offer their services, or alternatively, advertise their apartments. Also, the university itself might have counselors who can support you in the process of finding an apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to that, make sure you visit the classified ads plattform Ebay-Kleinanzeigen<\/em>\u2014you can literally find anything and everything there\u2014including moving boxes and second hand furniture. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for a shared flat with roommates (called WG, or Wohngemeinschaft in German), we\u2019d recommend you check out the website WG-gesucht<\/em> to find your perfect flat match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n- Get a realtor?<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Also, if you\u2019re becoming more German by the day, have planned ahead, and put some cash aside, it might be useful to involve a real estate agent\u2014especially if your German\u2019s not fluent yet. The upside: You\u2019ll only have to pay the agent\u2019s commission once they have found an apartment for you. Also, their commission shouldn\u2019t exceed two month\u2019s rent plus VAT. Don\u2019t let anyone fool you here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, you’ve finally been invited to the long-awaited apartment viewing. Your next question\u2019s probably what you\u2019ll need to bring with you. We\u2019ve got the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"That's](\"https:\/\/www.lemonade.com\/de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEverything you need to bring to an apartment viewing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Make sure to bring all <\/em>of the following items:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Schufa-Auskunft<\/em>.<\/strong> This is basically like a credit report. It shows your landlord that you\u2019ll be able to pay your rent every month. However, if you\u2019ve just moved to Germany, this document might be blank. If this is the case, make sure to bring an alternate document that shows that you have sufficient funds, like a work contract or your tax returns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Your last three payslips<\/strong>. If you\u2019re a freelancer, bring a statement of income from a tax advisor instead. Just so you know, in Germany, roughly one third of your salary should be budgeted for your monthly rent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung<\/em><\/strong>. Quite high up on the list of longest German expressions ever, but what does it mean? This document confirms that you\u2019ve always paid your rent and don\u2019t owe your previous landlord any money (Here\u2019s a template<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Your ID\u2014plus a copy of your ID. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Bonus: Proof of your personal liability and contents insurance.<\/strong> Contents and liability insurance (which taken together are quite similar to US renters insurance) aren\u2019t mandatory in Germany. Nevertheless, landlords might ask you for proof of both personal liability (\u201cPrivathaftpflichtversicherung\u201d) and contents insurance (\u201cHausratversicherung\u201d). According to the German Tenants\u2019 Association (\u201cDeutscher Mieterbund<\/a>\u201d) this request isn\u2019t legally valid. However, reality looks slightly different. As you know by now, there\u2019s lots of competition when it comes to affordable housing in Germany. Therefore, you should give yourself a head start, and consider getting yourself both insurances. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s what they cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Personal liability insurance<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> This insurance covers you if you accidentally injure others or cause damage to their stuff\u2014including your rental apartment. No wonder landlords really<\/em> want you to get this insurance.<\/li>
- Contents insurance<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>Your contents policy protects your stuff, more specifically everything you\u2019d take with you if you were to move, from damages caused by things like fire, tap water, or a burglary.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Some additional facts about renting an apartment in Germany<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Calculating German apartment sizes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nFor German apartments, everything (also the living room) counts as a room (\u2018Zimmer\u2019). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019d like to live in a 1-bedroom apartment, you\u2019ll have to look for a \u2018Zweizimmerwohnung\u2019 (2-room apartment).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where in Berlin should you look for an apartment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re expecting a one-size-fits-all answer, sorry to disappoint. However, we can definitely offer you a guide: Together we\u2019ll review the most important criteria to help you decide on a \u2018Kiez\u2019 (aka city neighborhood in Berlin)\u2014including access to public transport, number of applicants per flat, and crime rate. Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public transport to the city center<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the insider secret: Your new apartment should be located inside the \u2018S-Bahn Ring<\/a>\u2019, meaning it should be accessible by tram. Spoiler: If you\u2019ve arrived in places called Spandau, Koepenick or Marzahn, you\u2019ve veered too far from the city center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re considering living in an apartment that isn\u2019t located in the heart of Berlin, you should at least make sure that it\u2019s got an accessible tram line that can get you there. Let\u2019s be honest\u2014you won\u2019t want to spend 90 minutes on public transportation just to be able to enjoy a glass of wine in Berlin Mitte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Number of applicants per apartment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to know about the hottest neighborhoods? Just go with the areas people won\u2019t stop talking about, like: Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg or Neuk\u00f6lln, which are high up there on the coolness factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Btw, in 2021 Berlin Neuk\u00f6lln was ranked the 11th hottest neighborhood in the world by Timeout Magazine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, one downside to their popularity is that the hottest neighborhoods tend to attract the most applicants. A popular neighborhood means less of a chance to secure yourself a place to live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Immobilienscout24.de<\/em>, the largest German online marketplace for real estate, analyzed the number of candidates per apartment in a particular Berlin neighborhood in 2017\u20132018. They found that 836 (!) candidates applied for a 54 square meter (approximately 580 square feet) rental in Neuk\u00f6lln . Demand in Kreuzberg and Friendrichhain appeared to be similar, with an average of 635 and 595 applicants per apartment, respectively. In contrast, apartments in Wartenberg received the least applications (17 applicants per flat). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a look at the full (German) list here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Crime rate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Berlin\u2019s not Capetown or Acapulco, but there are still a few Berlin neighborhoods best avoided when strolling around alone at night. According to the Berlin police<\/a>, you should be cautious around these places:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rent<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Last but not least, one of the most important aspects when looking for an apartment: Money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ok, rent is a tiny bit more complicated. But don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll get down to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Germany, two different types of rent exist: \u2018Warmmiete\u2019 (warm rent) and \u2018Kaltmiete\u2019 (cold rent). The former includes additional expenses such as electricity and water costs, whereas for the latter, amenities are excluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019ve explained some basics\u2014what\u2019s a fair amount of money to pay for a rental apartment in Berlin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our answer: Check out the current \u2019Mietspiegel<\/a>\u2019 (Rent Mirror). The resource provides you with information regarding average local rent (beware: Kaltmiete) in certain neighborhoods. According to the Mietspiegel, the current average rent in Berlin is 23,39 \u20ac per square meter ( 10 square feet). <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the low end, it starts from about 12 \u20ac per square meter in a neighborhood called \u2018Waidmannslust\u2019, all the way up to 43,09 \u20ac per square meter in \u2018Obersch\u00f6neweide\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n FYI, Berlin rent has increased around 39 % over the last 2 years! According to the Mietspiegel, the average local rent in 2020 was only 16,80 \u20ac per square meter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n And now that you\u2019ve (hopefully) narrowed it down to a few Berlin neighborhoods, you might want to live in, let the actual apartment hunt begin. We\u2019re kicking it off with some hands-on tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you probably know by now, Germans love being organized and planning ahead! The same applies to renting out their apartments. This means that you should start looking for a new apartment earlier rather than later. But what\u2019s considered early? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, once you\u2019ve made up your mind, you\u2019ll have to give your (former) landlord a 3 month notice before you plan to move out. So, you should start looking for your next Berlin apartment roughly 3 months in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n German language nerd alert: In German, getting help from someone you know is called using \u2018Vitamin B\u2019\u2014where B stands for \u2018Beziehungen\u2019 (relationships). <\/p>\n\n\n\n What does this mean? There\u2019s always your one friend who\u2019s roommates with this guy who might<\/em> have heard of a great new apartment listing. An additional plus to this method: Potential landlords might be more likely to consider your application if it comes with a recommendation from someone they actually know\u2014especially when it comes to expats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re brand new in the German capital and don\u2019t have any friends or acquaintances to help you find a suitable apartment, don\u2019t worry. There are tons of Facebook groups you can join for that purpose. Some great examples include: Freie Wohnung \/ WG in Berlin<\/em><\/a> <\/em> (if you already speak some German) or groups for expats such as Berlin Apartments – Rent – Share & Sell flats & apartments in Berlin<\/em> & apartments in Berlin<\/em><\/a> , or more general ones such as +Expats in Berlin+<\/em><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might have heard of them by now, but the most known German portals for your apartment hunt include: Immoscout 24<\/em>, Immowelt,<\/em> and Immonet<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For Immoscout 24, it might be worth getting their subscription called \u2018Mieterplus+\u2019. It will allow you to gain an insight into all kinds of statistics as well as have your messages appear first in your potential landlord\u2019s postbox. Nice bonus: With the premium account, you\u2019ll be able to send in all of the needed docs in a super organized way (and make all the Germans very <\/em>happy!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, you should set up alerts for all of these marketplaces\u2014so you can react straight away if you see a new listing pop up on your phone. Time\u2019s money when it comes to any apartment hunt\u2014but even more so for Berlin\u2019s highly competitive housing market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re currently a student, your university might offer an updates board where people offer their services, or alternatively, advertise their apartments. Also, the university itself might have counselors who can support you in the process of finding an apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to that, make sure you visit the classified ads plattform Ebay-Kleinanzeigen<\/em>\u2014you can literally find anything and everything there\u2014including moving boxes and second hand furniture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for a shared flat with roommates (called WG, or Wohngemeinschaft in German), we\u2019d recommend you check out the website WG-gesucht<\/em> to find your perfect flat match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, if you\u2019re becoming more German by the day, have planned ahead, and put some cash aside, it might be useful to involve a real estate agent\u2014especially if your German\u2019s not fluent yet. The upside: You\u2019ll only have to pay the agent\u2019s commission once they have found an apartment for you. Also, their commission shouldn\u2019t exceed two month\u2019s rent plus VAT. Don\u2019t let anyone fool you here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, you’ve finally been invited to the long-awaited apartment viewing. Your next question\u2019s probably what you\u2019ll need to bring with you. We\u2019ve got the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure to bring all <\/em>of the following items:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Schufa-Auskunft<\/em>.<\/strong> This is basically like a credit report. It shows your landlord that you\u2019ll be able to pay your rent every month. However, if you\u2019ve just moved to Germany, this document might be blank. If this is the case, make sure to bring an alternate document that shows that you have sufficient funds, like a work contract or your tax returns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Your last three payslips<\/strong>. If you\u2019re a freelancer, bring a statement of income from a tax advisor instead. Just so you know, in Germany, roughly one third of your salary should be budgeted for your monthly rent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung<\/em><\/strong>. Quite high up on the list of longest German expressions ever, but what does it mean? This document confirms that you\u2019ve always paid your rent and don\u2019t owe your previous landlord any money (Here\u2019s a template<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Your ID\u2014plus a copy of your ID. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Bonus: Proof of your personal liability and contents insurance.<\/strong> Contents and liability insurance (which taken together are quite similar to US renters insurance) aren\u2019t mandatory in Germany. Nevertheless, landlords might ask you for proof of both personal liability (\u201cPrivathaftpflichtversicherung\u201d) and contents insurance (\u201cHausratversicherung\u201d). According to the German Tenants\u2019 Association (\u201cDeutscher Mieterbund<\/a>\u201d) this request isn\u2019t legally valid. However, reality looks slightly different. As you know by now, there\u2019s lots of competition when it comes to affordable housing in Germany. Therefore, you should give yourself a head start, and consider getting yourself both insurances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what they cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calculating German apartment sizes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For German apartments, everything (also the living room) counts as a room (\u2018Zimmer\u2019). <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to live in a 1-bedroom apartment, you\u2019ll have to look for a \u2018Zweizimmerwohnung\u2019 (2-room apartment).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPractical tips for finding an apartment in Berlin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEverything you need to bring to an apartment viewing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some additional facts about renting an apartment in Germany<\/h3>\n\n\n\n