How to find apartments for rent in Berlin: the best-kept secret

Here's your life-saving guide about how to rent a flat in Berlin! We all know how difficult it can be to find a place to live in Berlin. Why? Because thousands of people like you dream of living in the capital of Germany.

Years ago, it was much easier to find a house to rent in Berlin, and even easier to find a room in Berlin. Now, due to the increasing rental prices, finding accommodation has become a nightmare.

If you want to know what you need to know to rent a flat in Germany and how to find the flat of your dreams in the city of Berlin, take notes, I will give you the definitive formula!

What you need to live in Germany

You should always have the documents ready that you will be requested when renting a room or an apartment in Berlin. If you do not have this documentation, it does not necessarily mean you cannot rent, but it is more likely that they will choose to rent to someone else who does provide complete documentation (and you do not want that to happen).

Keep in mind that there is currently very little supply and a lot of demand, so the more documents you can present when applying for a rental, the better. Are you ready? Let's start with the list!

• A copy of your ID card or passport.
• A payroll for the last 2 or 3 months or a proof that you are solvent.
• A rental application or Wohnenbewerbung.
• The Schufa: this document, the "Schutzgemeinschaft für allgemeine Kreditsicherung" (thank God for the abbreviation), is a document that you have to apply for as proof that you do not owe any debts to any bank or institution in Germany. If you don't have a German bank account, you can present some bank statements showing that you always pay your rent on time. This will be required in almost 100% of the cases, so always have it at hand!
• The deposit or Kaution: expect to be asked for a deposit, usually equivalent to two or three months' rent, which will serve as a guarantee to the landlord that you will leave the flat in the same condition in which you found it. Some rental websites (such as Erasmusu and Spotahome) offer free insurance so you won't have to pay this out of your own pocket.
• a recognition letter or good references from your previous landlord: with the increasing demand for rentals in Berlin, you'd better stand out from the crowd of potential tenants. How? Ask your previous landlords for references stating that you are an exemplary tenant!

Is it expensive to live in Berlin?

In Berlin, student accommodation is very popular. As with any country or city, the price of rent in Berlin varies depending on the area, the type of accommodation and who you will be living with.

If you are planning to rent a room in a shared flat in Berlin, the average price is around €450. However, for those who value privacy too much and prefer to look for a studio apartment for rent in Berlin, you can find many options for €800-900.

If you are looking for cheap accommodation in Berlin centre, bear in mind that, as in any other city, the closer you want to live to the centre, the more expensive the rents will be. It's a matter of preference!

In conclusion, assuming that you are living a modest student lifestyle, and assuming you will be sharing expenses with your flatmates, you could live in Berlin on €1000 per month. In this 1000 € we would include 500 € for rent, 250 € for meals, 50 € for public transport, and 200 € apart to pay for extra expenses, such as going out, the GEZ TV tax (yes, every house is charged a TV tax), and any other expenses or incidentals.

Extra costs to consider when renting a flat in Berlin

Depending on what the contract says, it is possible that some of the following costs may be included in the final rent price. If not, you may be caught by surprise, and we don't want that.

Here are the possible extra costs you will have to pay in addition to the rent of the flat:

• TV Tax
• Internet
• Electricity, water and heating
• Community maintenance, gardens
• Rubbish tax
• Home and liability insurance

Types of accommodation in Berlin

The most typical types of student accommodation in Germany are whohngemeinschaft and studentenwohnheim. In English? Shared flats or WGs, and student housing or dorms. If you prefer to have your own space and take it easy, you can also look for one-bedroom flats or studios in Berlin; they are more expensive, but privacy comes at a price.

Shared flats or Whohngemeinschaft (WG)

WGs, short for "whohngemeinschaft", are the most popular type of student accommodation you'll find in Berlin. As you can see, the accommodation is usually shared between 3-5 people, so you won't be bored.

You have two options:

1. Find a room in a shared flat in Berlin where other students are already living.
2. Find a flat in Berlin with several rooms to share with your friends or other students who are looking for the same as you.

Pros? On the one hand, you'll be able to save more money because you'll share the common expenses, such as water, electricity, heating and internet. Also, Berlin is home to thousands of students from all over the world, so you'll be able to practise your language skills and meet some amazing people you'll bond with during your stay in Berlin.

Cons? Due to the high demand, you will have to compete with hundreds of other students who, like you, are looking for a place to live in Berlin. If you wait until the high season, you'll have to rely on being chosen from all those applicants to the flat.

Tips for finding a flat share in Berlin

• Avoid the high season, the worst time to look for accommodation in Berlin is after the Erasmus admission date and before classes start. Always look in advance and in low season!
• Present all the necessary documentation (and more) at the first time, don't let them ask you for documents that may be missing, or you will be overtaken by the person who has presented everything at the first contact.

Student halls of residence or "Studentenwohnheim"

If you are looking for cheap accommodation in Berlin, this is your option. These types of residences are great for socialising, meeting people and practising the language, which is very important if you're going to live in Germany. In addition, they are usually located in strategic places, quite central and close to universities, so they have it all!

The allocation of places in student housing is regulated by the "Studierendenwerk", an organisation located in every city that monitors and ensures the smooth running of the student dorms. Its motto: "You study. We take care of the rest".

Pros? They are cheap (350-400 € per month), and all expenses are included. Also, the residences have a number of places reserved exclusively for foreign students, so there is always a chance of getting in. If there were places for everyone, it would certainly be the preferred option of every student.

Cons? It couldn't all be perfect. Being such a cheap, well-located and all-inclusive option, it is in very high demand among students. You'll find long waiting lists and places fly out instantly, which is why it's important to get ahead of the game and not wait to apply at the last minute.

Top tips for renting a flat in Berlin 2022

If you want to be among the lucky ones to find accommodation in Berlin in 2022, you'll need to get your act together and follow these tips for finding accommodation in Berlin:

1. Start looking in advance, as soon as you know you are going to study in Berlin.
2. Whenever you talk to someone, always mention that you are looking for accommodation in Berlin. Word of mouth always opens up a lot of opportunities, you never know who might know someone who is leaving their room in Berlin and can offer you their place, or who is looking for people to share a flat with in Berlin.
3. Submit as much documentation as possible, don't wait to be asked for it.
4. Check the rental contract with a native German person to make sure that everything is correct.
5. Take before and after photos of the flat and the room to avoid possible problems with the refund of the deposit.
6. Beware of internet scams: Are you being asked to pay in advance? They ask you to send a copy of your ID so that they can send you the keys so that you can go and see the flat? They ask you to pay to view the flat? SCAM!
7. Look for accommodation only on reliable websites that offer certain guarantees, such as insurance protection, free cancellation, etc.

Find your flat in Berlin with Erasmusu

Erasmusu will always try to make your life easier, how? By helping you to avoid scams and providing you with the best guarantees so that the process of looking for accommodation in Berlin is a walk, not a nightmare. All from home, looking for a flat in Berlin online has never been so easy.

Explore the different verified accommodation options in Berlin and filter the results according to your preferences. Search for complete flats to share, single rooms in shared flats, studios, residences... You decide! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, the team will be happy to help you.

Book it now! Request a booking for the accommodation you like and receive a reply within 24 hours. You will only be charged when your request is confirmed and you have the flat confirmed. Payment is transferred to the owner within 48 hours of your arrival at the accommodation, so your money is safe and sound. That's it! All that's left is to go out and enjoy your new adventure in Berlin, which is no small feat!

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