← All topicsHousing & Rent
Questions on this topic
- Can I rent a flat in Berlin while I'm still in Turkey, before I come to Germany?Yes. You can rent a flat before you arrive through sites such as Wunderflats or HousingAnywhere. Always check whether the listing says Anmeldung (address registration) is possible.
- How do I get a few pieces of furniture or a sofa moved within Berlin?On Kleinanzeigen you can find people with vans. There are also small 'man with a van' teams and apps such as TaskRabbit, Co-Tasker and Tiptapp. For very few things, the large cars in taxi apps work too.
- I damaged something in my rented flat. How does liability insurance pay for it?Report the damage to your landlord or the property management and to your insurer. The insurer usually wants quotes (Angebot) from several companies and pays if it approves. Check whether your policy covers Mietsachschäden.
- I lost a key when moving out of my rented flat. What should I do?Tell your landlord or the property management company straight away and check your rental contract. The company may send you a bill or ask you to find a locksmith.
- I'm a student and my family supports me from Turkey. What can I give as proof of income when renting?A signed letter of support from your family and recent bank statements showing regular payments into your account can be accepted.
- I'm moving into a new flat. Where can I find cheap or second-hand furniture?Kleinanzeigen has free or cheap second-hand things. Also look at flea markets, second-hand groups and big second-hand stores such as NochMall. For new but affordable furniture, there are the Home24 outlet and JYSK.
- Is there a reliable removals company in Berlin, and how do I send things to Turkey?For a move, you can try Neuwelt Umzüge, Man with a van or the Verna team on the Co-Tasker app. For sending a whole household to Turkey, there are companies such as Doğançay.
- My kitchen sink is blocked. What can I do?First try bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, then hot water. If you rent, call the property management (Hausverwaltung) or your landlord; they usually send a tradesperson.
- Small larva-like worms keep appearing in my bathroom and home. What should I do?In hot weather, open dry food can get infested. Check packets such as bulgur and rice, the area under the sink and the drains, and pour boiling water down the drain.
- The previous tenant wants key money from me. Should I pay?No, you do not have to pay. Key money (money the previous tenant asks for to hand over the flat) is not a legal payment in Germany, and the risk of being scammed is high.
- There are small moths in my home. What should I do?These small moths usually come from open dry food. Find the source, throw away affected food, clean the cupboards and buy moth traps from dm or Rossmann.
- What is a WBS (Wohnberechtigungsschein), and how do I get one?A WBS is the certificate you need to apply for state-subsidised social housing. In Berlin you can apply if you are over 18, your income is below certain limits and, as a non-EU citizen, your residence permit is valid for at least another year.
- What is Schufa, how do I get it, and can I rent a flat without it?Schufa is a private credit agency that records your payment history. You can get a free data copy or a paid certificate for landlords; if you are new, an empty Schufa record is not negative, and other documents can build trust.
- What is the maximum rental deposit (Kaution)?At most 3 months' net cold rent, and you can pay it in 3 equal instalments.
- What types of housing are there in Germany: what's the difference between a WG, Zwischenmiete and möbliert?A WG means renting a room in a shared flat; Zwischenmiete means temporarily taking over someone's flat; möbliert means furnished. In each case, pay attention to the contract, address registration and the landlord's consent.
- Where can I find a reliable repair person, plumber or household help in Berlin?For plumbing or dishwasher problems, try Fixwerk. You can also find tradespeople through the Tiptapp app. Şahan Bio Wasserfilter fits home water filters and speaks Turkish.
- Where can I get help with tenancy law (Mietrecht)?If you have problems with your landlord, you can join the Berliner Mieterverein (Berlin tenants' association). The association gives its members advice on tenancy law.
- Which websites can I use to find a flat in Berlin, and is there a good estate agent?For long-term rentals there are ImmoScout24 and Immowelt, and for furnished flats Wunderflats and HousingAnywhere. There is also Home in Berlin, and students can try Studierendenwerk halls. As an estate agent, you can try Home Company.
- Who can get housing benefit (Wohngeld), and how do I apply?Wohngeld is rent support for tenants on a low income who do not receive Jobcenter support. In Berlin you apply online or in writing to your district's Wohngeld office; you can estimate the amount first with the Wohngeldrechner.
