Renting
News and important information about renting a property in Germany. Looking to move?Find your next rental property in Germany here.
Germany's incoming government 'to extend rent brake for two years'
When Germany's last government collapsed before securing the extension of the rent brake there were concerns that it could expire this year. But initial coalition talks suggest the next government plans to extend current rent controls.
10 things landlords in Germany can never ask of tenants
It's not always easy to find a place to live in Germany - but that doesn't mean that tenants have to put up with dodgy demands and overblown rules. If your landlord asks you to do any of these ten things, they may be breaking the law.
Is renting a flat 'without Anmeldung' illegal in Germany?
In today's tough housing environment, it's growing more and more common to see flats rented out without the right to register - or 'anmelden'. The Local looks at whether this is legal under German tenancy law.
Which German cities are the most in need of new housing?
Germany's housing shortage, especially in major cities like Munich and Berlin, has been worsening for years. But it's not the big German cities that are most in need of new housing.
How the price of student housing compares across Germany
The costs for student housing have grown across Germany over the last year, but prices are different depending on which city you are in, a new report has revealed.
German elections: How parties plan to tackle high rents and create affordable homes
Germany has been in the throes of a housing crisis for years, with a lack of affordable homes in many regions. With a nationwide election coming up, what are political parties promising to do about it?
How much are rents going up in German cities?
Rising rents are always a hot button issue in Germany, but especially now that a national election is around the corner. A recent survey shows where rents are rising, and by how much.
OPINION: Why challenging your high rent in Germany is a civic duty to other tenants
Rental costs across Germany continue to rise at alarming rates. Since rent control laws are only enforced when tenants invoke them, Paul Krantz argues that doing so should be seen as a civic duty to help keep rents down.
10 ways you will accidentally annoy your German neighbours
Getting along with your neighbours is essential if you want an easy life - but there are a few unwritten rules in Germany that you may not even know you're breaking.
What changes for renters and homeowners in Germany in 2025
From property tax reform to extended rent controls to an increased CO2 tax, this year is set to bring plenty of changes for renters and property owners in Germany. Here are the key ones to keep in mind.
Why tenants in Germany could see steep rent hikes in 2025
With Germany's rent controls at risk of falling away amid the ongoing shortage of affordable housing in many cities, tenants are facing rising rental costs.
13,000 unused flats in Frankfurt: Why Hesse plans to crack down on empty housing
With renters struggling to find housing in German cities like Frankfurt and Wiesbaden, a new plan from the Hessian Economics Ministry aims to clamp down on unused living space.
German government under pressure to ease housing crisis ahead of elections
Ahead of this year's housing summit in Berlin - and early elections next year - the German tenants' association is urging the government to pass a number of promised reforms designed to make life easier for renters.
When should I turn on the heating in my German flat?
As we head deep into the autumn/winter season many people are wondering what the rules are around heating your home in Germany. Here's what you need to know.
How much will the jobcentre pay for my rent and bills in Germany?
If you're unemployed in Germany, the jobcentre will cover a reasonable portion of your rent and other living costs. But what's considered a 'reasonable' rent - and will the authorities tell you to downsize if your rent is too high?More and more tenants in Germany are spending too much income on rent
Residents of German cities are painfully aware of the fact that rents have been rising rapidly in urban centres. More and more of them are paying too much out of their salaries to cover rent costs, a study has revealed. Are you one of them?
'A new peak': How high have rents risen in Germany's big cities?
The rise in rents is continuing apace in Germany, driven by demand for furnished flats and a trend away from buying property. Here's how the rental market looks in major German cities this year.
How a 'Mieterverein' can help you reduce your rent in Germany
If you're renting in Germany, you may have heard about a tenants' association - or Mieterverein. But you may not be aware that joining one could help save you money in the long run.
Do rising rents make buying a home in Germany a better option?
Across Germany, rents have shot up in the last two years while property prices have fallen. Experts say this is making buying more attractive than renting at the moment.
Where flatshare prices are rising steeply in Germany
University is back in session in Germany, leading to higher demands for a "WG-Zimmer" or room in a flatshare. Sharing a flat is a common way for people to keep rental costs down in Germany but they are getting more expensive.
Germany's housing benefit to increase at the start of 2025
Low-income workers and families in Germany can receive welfare payments known as Wohngeld to offset high rental costs. This benefit is set to increase in the new year.
Why Berlin tenants are paying extra €100 per month for elusive Anmeldung
Finding Berlin flats offering registration - or Anmeldung - is getting harder. And now tenant advocates are worried about a new trend in classified ads, which offer a registered address without a true place to live - for a fee.
Germany set to deliver less than half of promised new homes in 2026
A new forecast from Munich's Ifo institute suggests that Germany is on course to build just 175,000 new homes in 2026.Rents still rising fast in major German cities
Whether in a major metropolis or out in the suburbs, the pace of rent increases in Germany shows no sign of slowing down.