The Berlin Holy Grail: How to Secure a Permanent Rental Contract (Inside the Ring)

Nicole´s Berlin

So you’ve visited Berlin a few times and the grafittied city officially grabbed ahold of your heart, now what?

If you mention that you are thinking about moving to the capital to the Berliners around you, be prepared for a barrage of negative comments about how “hard it is to find a flat.” They may even try to discourage you from attempting to move here at all. But it’s all part of the game. Every Berliner must navigate the arduous process of flat hunting before he or she can officially claim the title of Berliner. And oh how much more satisfying it is to claim that title once you’ve been through the trenches!

While it’s true, it can take months sometimes to secure your dream flat, there are tips that can help speed up the process. In this article, I will share some tried and true tips that will set you apart from the hundreds of other hopefuls applying for the same apartment. Let’s get started!

1. Sign up and get notified

Sign up for Immoscout24 Plus and add alarms to the searches you are performing. Whenever you receive a notification of a new flat, apply right away. It’s all about perfect timing. Since there are so many people applying for the same flat, flat owners will often make the listing live and then unpublish it once they receive a certain amount of inquiries.

2. Prepare documents

Prepare all of your necessary documents in a single PDF file. Create a simple document titled something like “Über mich” or “About me” and include a friendly photo of yourself. Also make sure to include a few details about who you are such as your name, age, place of origin, occupation, net salary (make sure your net salary is at least three times the rent), hobbies, and marital status, etc.

3. A little message

Regardless of your German skills, every time you apply for a flat, include a short polite message written in German such as:

“Hello, my name is Nicole, I’m 36, I’m single, I don’t have any children or pets and I’m not a smoker. I work as a Content Marketing Coordinator at Google.com and I’m currently looking for a new flat to live in. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you very much.»

Use Google Translate to help you craft your message or else enlist the help of a German friend or colleague.

4. Keep your documents ready

Print ALL the required documents and make sure to take them to every flat viewing. One thing you’ll realize really quickly is that Germans love paperwork, the more the better, so make sure to bring copies of these documents every time. Include the three most recent payslips, Schufa (German credit report), a statement from your current landlord that says you have no debts and paid your rent on time every month, passport or ID, application form and your “Über mich” document. This will make you appear very professional and trustworthy. You can plant a tree in Hasenheide once you get your dream flat as a way to offset your increased carbon footprint due to excess printing.

5. Make a great impression

Even if you are normally a curmudgeon, try to be super friendly and polite with the landlords or rental agents when you view the flats. If your German is poor, try talking to them, introducing yourself, asking questions about the flat such as how many people are viewing the flat, be in awe of the work they’ve done on the flat and just try to appear as interesting and interested as possible (without coming across as a complete weirdo, of course). Remember, your objective is to leave a lasting impression on them so that when they begin to filter through applicants, you stand out as a favorite.

6. Positive criticism

If you do have concerns or criticisms about the flat, try to spin the inquiry as a positive one. Instead of saying, “XYZ is a problem”, say “XYZ is interesting, can you tell me more about it?”

7. What to wear

Wear casual but serious clothing during the visits. Unfortunately, image still plays a big role in who gets “chosen” or not. If you work from home and your wardrobe consists of an array of different colored sweatpants, see if you can borrow a respectable outfit from a friend.

8. You have to act now

If you like the flat once you’ve viewed it, apply as soon as you leave. Don’t wait for another flat, don’t stop and get an ice cream first, don’t call your best friend and ask if you’re making the right decisions, just APPLY! The agent will likely forward any documents they get on day one as the first batch. If you hesitate, you’ll end up in the second batch thus decreasing your chances of getting selected. You can always decline the apartment if it’s offered to you, or if you find one better suited to your desires, but don’t delay on the initial application.

Rumor has it that if you apply as a single person, even if you have all the qualifications and steady employment with a German company, a landlord will prefer to select a couple instead. That is because a landlord wants to make sure that the rent gets paid and if one person loses their job, they like to know that there is a second income that can supplement. Having that knowledge, if you do apply as a single person and are finding it hard to get callbacks, consider applying for an apartment with a good friend or significant other. They don’t actually have to live there with you, they can just have their name on the contract, but it might increase your chances of getting selected. If you don’t mind living with others, you can also combine your search efforts with other flatless souls, thus increasing your chances of getting the holy grail, a permanent rental contract inside the ring.

Other things that might work against you is if you are self-employed, on a temporary work contract (like if you are doing research for a university for X amount of years), or are a freelancer. To get around this, I have heard of people first securing full time employment, and then starting their flat search. Once they receive a permanent rental contract, they quit their full time job and return to self-employment. Depending on your work visa, this might not be an option, but for those it is an option for, it’s definitely a “workaround”.

Take it from someone who knows, the German government doesn’t favor rebels (freelancers and the self-employed) so this can help you cut through some of that red tape. Having a permanent rental contract gives you a lot of rights in Germany. Once you sign on the dotted line it’s not very easy for landlords to kick you out (there’s even a rumor that it can take up to a year for a landlord to kick someone out even if they haven’t been paying rent for months!)

Other places to look for apartments

Like any major city with a housing shortage, the good apartments usually get passed on to friends or friends of friends before they ever hit sites like Immoscout or WG-Gesucht. That means it’s going to be in your best interest to tell anyone and everyone that you are searching for a flat. Make an announcement at your company’s networking event, tell the people in your improv class you are currently house-less, or share the news on your Tinder profile. Luck favors the bold, so try not to have any shame during your flat search.

Here are some other places to look:

→ There are several groups on Facebook that are catered towards flat searches. Some include:

Synchronicity Nest Berlin Longterm only! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1604433846596344
Berlin Longterm Flats – https://www.facebook.com/groups/berlinlongtermflats/
IWB Housing in Berlin – https://www.facebook.com/groups/iwb.housing

→ Don’t underestimate the power of eBay. Germany has a special classifieds site that mimics the beloved Craigslist called https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/. There you can find apartment listings as well as people selling all kinds of stuff to help you furnish your beloved flat once you sign the contract.

→ In need of temporary housing until you get settled? Berlin MiniLofts will keep you housed anywhere from a few weeks to 6 months. With their flexible contracts, and ability to register your anmeldung, you can bridge the gap until your permanent housing situation. Conveniently located in Mitte, you will be able to get to Apartment viewings in any kiez in no time.

A Note About Scams and Other Things You Should Be Aware Of

Because of the rental crisis, apartment scams have increased dramatically in Berlin over the years, so if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Use common sense, and you should be alright, however, here are two reminders for you…

Never EVER send a deposit without viewing the apartment first and never sign a contract on a flat (in a shared flat or whilst living alone) if the landlord says you cannot register there (also known as anmeldung). It is illegal for a landlord to offer a contract without allowing you register there. It means they are renting the room illegally which means you have no protection should they want to kick you out.

And lastly, make sure to sign up for the Berliner Mieterverein https://www.berliner-mieterverein.de/, an association that will help you should you run into issues with your landlord. For a small annual fee (less than 100 Euros) they will provide legal representation should you encounter any issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating the complex landscape of finding a flat in Berlin may seem daunting at first, but with perseverance and strategic tactics, it’s entirely feasible to secure your dream living space in this vibrant city. Despite the warnings and discouragement often voiced by locals, remember that overcoming the challenges of flat hunting is a rite of passage for every Berliner.

The tips outlined in this article offer valuable insights into streamlining the process and increasing your chances of success. From utilizing online platforms like Immoscout24 and crafting personalized applications to understanding the cultural nuances of interactions with landlords, each step contributes to positioning yourself as a standout candidate in a competitive market.

Moreover, exploring alternative avenues such as Facebook groups, online classifieds, and temporary housing options can further expand your opportunities and connections within the housing community. However, it’s essential to remain vigilant against scams and illegal practices, ensuring your rights and protections as a renter.

Ultimately, while the road to finding a flat in Berlin may be paved with challenges, the reward of securing a place to call home in this dynamic city is well worth the effort. By arming yourself with knowledge, determination, and a willingness to adapt, you’ll not only navigate the process successfully but also emerge with a newfound sense of accomplishment as a bona fide Berliner. So, embrace the adventure, stay persistent, and soon enough, you’ll be settling into your new Berlin abode, ready to immerse yourself in all that this vibrant metropolis has to offer.

The Berlin Holy Grail: How to Secure a Permanent Rental Contract (Inside the Ring)

1. Sign up and get notified

2. Prepare documents

3. A little message

4. Keep your documents ready

5. Make a great impression

6. Positive criticism

7. What to wear

8. You have to act now

Other places to look for apartments

Here are some other places to look:

A Note About Scams and Other Things You Should Be Aware Of

Conclusion

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