Written by Stefanie Herta

Moving to Germany as an international student is a thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime experience, but securing the right place to live can quickly become one of the most stressful parts of the journey. 

With high demand for accommodation, unfamiliar systems, and cultural nuances, finding accommodation remains one of the biggest logistical challenges many international students face in Germany.

Earlier, Prashant (CCP DEGIS Munich) and I were interviewed by DER SPIEGEL about our experiences in the German housing situation as international students – a topic i’ve come to know inside and out. 

As a former DAAD-funded international student mentor at my unviersity, I’ve had the pleasure in supporting fellow students in navigating Germany’s complex rental and regulatory landscape.

Accommodation scams are a growing concern, especially on fast-moving platforms like Facebook, WG-Gesucht and Ebay Kleinanzeigen.de. These scams can be emotionally and financially draining, and they’re often cleverly disguised.

So, let’s get you fully informed! In this blog, I’m going to provide you with some clear guidelines in saving yourself from accommodation scams and the like!

Once you know the signs, you’ll be able to protect yourself and redirect your efforts to your dream apartment or WG!

1. You’re Asked to Pay a Deposit Before Receiving Keys for the Apartment.

• NEVER transfer money before receiving keys to your new apartment or WG, even if you have signed a contract.
• Exceptions of this include the public housing “Studierendenwerk” or certain reputable private student accommodation options.

2. The Photos Look “Too Good to Be True”.

• If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of the photos, save (or screnshot!) the photo and upload it to Google Reverse Image Search to see if the photo has been used in other, unrelated listings with different addresses.
  • My experience: Once, I was looking at a lovely apartment in Berlin from a Facebook post, and when I did a reverse Google search, I realized the photo actually came from a property in FRANCE! Not Germany, and certainly not Berlin… Thus, it was a clear scam.

3. The “Landlord” Says They Can’t Meet You Beforehand.

• Landlords and main tenants alike have an obligation to offer you the chance to view and inspect the accommodation before signing any contracts.
• Common excuses involve claiming they are currently overseas or too occupied with work to provide a viewing.
• If they continue to refuse, even after their “trip”,  that’s definitely a red flag! Consider elsewhere.

4. “No Anmeldung”  = No Possibility to Officially Register the Address to Yourself.

There are a few reasons why an apartment or WG doesn’t offer “Anmeldung”:

• They are subletting the apartment or room illegally
  (e.g. someone else is officially registered there but is temporarily away, and seeks to rent it out without landlord permission – if you are found out, you’ll be kicked out!)

• They have already reached the maximum number of people legally allowed within the WG/apartment.

• The property offers short-term hotel/hostel-style accomodation that doesn’t qualify for registration. In this case, it’s not a red flag, but NOT a long term option either!

Wait, what is “Anmeldung” ?

Anmeldung is the official registration of your address in Germany – and it’s mandatory for anyone living here longer than a few months.

When you move into your new accommodation (even if shared), you must register your address at the local “Bezkirsamt” (district office) / Bürgeramt (citizen’s office). This process is called “Anmeldung”, and you’ll receive a confirmation document called the “Meldebescheinigung”.

• Without it, you are unable to apply for your visa, obtain a German tax ID or open certain German bank accounts!
• Thus, keep “Anmeldung” in your priority during your search – and always ask if “Anmeldung” is available!

5. The Monthly Rent Seems “Too Good To Be True”

While there are, on occasion, more affordable options, these are harder to come by nowadays. 

• Sometimes, scammers will reduce the “price” as a way to coax deseprate accommodation searchers into ignoring fishy details of their listing!
• So, be sure to take a look at other apartment/WG prices in the area of the listing to compare!
  
  

6. The Devil Is in the (Contract) Details!

• Obvious errors in formatting or German – broken sentences, missing legal terms (a note on this soon), or strange word choices can indicate the listing was hastily put together without proper understanding (or rather, neglect!) of housing laws.
  • My experience: When I was reviewing a contract for an apartment I was interested in (that ended up being a scam!), I noticed some grammatical and punctuation errors that you wouldn’t expect from a well-thought-out or official contract.

• • If you aren’t sure due to the contract being in German, try using DeepL or similar tools to get it translated!
• Also, check out the Deutsche Mieterbund for an English-version of a typical Rental Contract, and make a comparison!
  

So… Where to Search?

Navigating the right platforms can make all the difference in finding trustworthy listings. 

• Here are some widely used and dependable options via our Reel on top accommodation search websites in Germany!
• P.S. Keep in mind – If you are a DEGIS community member you actually get 15% off rental bookings with Spotahome, and 30% if you are a DEGIS volunteer!

I hope this has been helpful to you, and I wish you the very best in finding your new home in Germany!