Council payment for foreign visitors?

laura cottam Escrito hace 6 años

Hi, I have an internship in cologne for 6 months, I have put down a deposit for a house share in Ehrenfled and the landlady has asked for a 1000 euro council tax payment that all foreign visitors have to pay, and the money will be refunded. Does anyone know if this is common practice in Germany as I canot find any details of it abroad?? 

Thanks