Accommodation

Here you find the most important information on the flat rental in a form of a small glossary:

Mietvertrag - Rental contract

For each rented property you have to sign a rental contract. It may be restricted in time or not. It always includes however a cancelation period - you can't leave the flat and stop paying the rent from one day to another. You need to inform the owner in advance (usually three months earlier) in a written form that you're leaving.

Miete - Rent

The rent has to be paid regularly, usually until the third working day of the month, preferably per bank transfer. Avoid paying in cash or otherwise ask for a bill with the signature of the flat owner or the person you give it to. In the offers you find expressions like "Kaltmiete" - cold rent (without heating), "Warmmiete" - warm rent (heating included).

Nebenkosten - ancillary costs

To these costs belong among others water, used water disposal, waste disposal, building insurance, electricity in the common space, administrative expenses. They come usually on the top of the rent.

Kaution - Deposit

The flat owners often ask for a security, which may amount up to three monthly rents. It is there to cover possible damages during your stay. It can be paid in rates. It will be given back to you, when you leave, if there is no damage and no rent owed.

Kündigung - Cancelation notice

You should inform the flat owner in a written form that you move out. The usual cancellation period is three months. It can happen that you have to pay for two flats at the same time for a month or two, if you move spontaneously.

Übergabeprotokoll - Protocol of the apartment handover

You prepare and sign it when you move in and out. It includes the meters (electricity, water, heating) and damages that are present in the flat, when you move in and out (to have a proof if you are resposible for them or not).

Hausordnung - House rules

These are general rules regarding cleaning, aerating, noise, using of common spaces etc.

WG (Wohngemeinschaft) - shared flat

Sharing a flat is very common among students in Germany as it's more economical (you share all the costs), but also more fun (you can have your best friends under the same roof).

Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung - proof of residence

This is a document signed by your flat owner (additionally to the rental contract), proving that you live in his/her flat. It's necessary to have it for you visa extension process at the Foreigners' Office. Please find a template here.

Rundfunkbeitrag/GEZ/ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice - media fee

This is an obligatory fee for access to the public media (independent from the fact if you use them or not). The fee is paid per household (if you share a flat, you can also share the fee, but you need to register this fact online!). Registration is automatical, deregistration (in case you change your address, move to someone, who is already paying the fee or move away from Germany) has to be done by yourself. More information and deregistration can be done here.

From finding a flat offer to getting you keys, it is a long way. What you should do first is to define your possibilites and priorities:

• How much money can you spend?

• Do you prefer a shared flat (less expensive) or a single apartment (your privacy)?

• Do you want to live in the center (short distances, but expensive) or it's ok for you to live in the area (longer travels, but less expensive)?

Offer search

Hier you find some hints how to search for a flat:

• start your flat search early (at least three months in  advance)

• apply for many offers, there is a little chance that the first try works

• choose newer offers (not older than 10 days), as they are quickly gone

• read the offer carefully (especially what is included in the price), is it furnished or not (if not, you need to calculate extra money for the furniture and kitchen equipment)?

• be realistic (there is no perfect flat and also no flat for 200€)

Below you find some links with offers:

www.wg-gesucht.de (basic information given in English)

www.zwischenmiete.de (in German)

www.studenten-wg.de (in German)

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/

www.immobilienscout24.de/

You can also have a look in the Facebook  groups connected with accommodation search:

"WG & Wohnung Koblenz gesucht"

"Immobilienmarkt Koblenz und Umgebung"

Flat viewing

It's already a success if you are invited to a flat viewing. There are landlords who organise group viewings and others, who take their time to meet you, talk to you and find out if the rental makes sense for them and for you. Use this chance, ask questions, try to establish a relation and check also if this is the right place for you. Don't forget however that from 20 applications you sent, you will be invited maybe to one flat viewing... Don't lose it, if it fullfills the most of the requirements that you set in advance.

Rental contract

The most important points in the rental contrat that you should pay attention to:

• lenght of the contract

• cancelation period (usually 3 months)*

• rent height (and rent raise)

• deposit height

• ancillary costs and what they include

* We don't recommend to sign the contracts with a cancelation period longer than 6 monhts, you never know what happens and you get stuck in a place or have to continue paying the rent, although you don't live there.

Handover of the apartment

Usually the flat owner prepares a protocol of the handover (Übergabeprotokoll), but you also can (and should) ask for it. It includes:

• current meter reading (electricity, heating and water)

• damages that are already in the flat (e.g. broken tiles or scratches on the floor)

• furniture provided and its state/damages

You may also take photos and attach them to the protocol for your security (when you move out, you'll not be made resposible for the damages).

Rental law is a complex matter. If you have any doubts regarding your contract or get into trouble with your flat owner - contact a lawyer.

The Student Service Organisation Koblenz provides a legal advisor service free of charge. Please find some more information here.

What your flat owner expects from you?

Your flat owner expects from you that:

• you pay the rent regularly

• you care for the property as if it was your own

• you avoid any damage (please see also the below section Damages and liability)

• you inform the owner about each damage immediately

• you clean the place regularly

• you heat and aerate the property correctly

• you avoid noise at night (10pm until 6am)

• you separate rubbish

What you can expect from your flat owner?
he provides you with necessary documents (contract, Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung - proof for the City Registration Office, Nebenkostenabrechnung - bill for the ancillary costs etc.)

• he repairs major damages to the structure of the building and installations (heating, electricity, water pipes etc.)

• he respects your privacy (he should always inform you when he wants to visit your flat, even for repair works, unless it is an emergency)

• he provides heating in the winter season (from 1st of October until the 30th of April it must possible to reach the temperatre of 20°C during the day and 18°C during the night

An accident can happen to anyone and it may be costly to remove its effects.  Hier you find some hints how to avoid the typical damages:

• wooden table burned by a hot pot - always use a coaster made of cork/silicon/felt etc. when you put a hot pot or a pan out of the oven or down from a cooking plate

• water damage - pay attention to close the water tap when you go out of the bathroom/wipe the water in front of the shower

• floor scratched when moving furniture - put an old carpet or a towel under each piece of furniture when pulling it or lift the furniture up

• broken window - pay attention not to leave the windows open when you leave the house, if a sudden wind comes, it may break; rain can also cause serious damage in the flat through an open window

• broken vacuum-cleaner - empty the dustbag regularly, don't vacuum water (most of the vacuum-cleaners can't be used for that purpose)

To be prepared for the worst, we strongly recommend all students to take a liability insurance (German: Haftpflichtversicherung). It costs you some 40€ in a year (so not even 4€ in a month!) and covers damages up to several millions Euro.

Allgemeine Informationen

The Student Services („Studierendenwerk“) are an independent organisation which runs most of the dormitories in Germany. The University of Koblenz-Landau works closely together with the Studierendenwerk in Koblenz.

Remember: The early bird catches the worm! Therefore, please apply as early as possible since the number of rooms is limited and we allocate rooms on a first-come-first-served basis!

Terms and Conditions

There are certain terms and conditions that you have to agree with when applying for an apartment of the Studierendenwerk:

• As to the regulations of the Studierendenwerk, apartments can only be offered to applicants that are younger than 33 years.

• Only students from abroad can apply for an apartment through the Welcome Center.

• Only a limited number of single apartments is available. We cannot guarantee rooms for all new students. The apartments can not be shared by two or more students.

• The apartments can only be rented for one whole semester, i.e. from 1. October until 31. March (winter term) or from 1. April until 30. September (summer term). You will have to pay for the full period of 6 months, even if you arrive later or leave earlier. As the rental period is six months only, during this time you will have to look for alternative accommodation outside the halls.

• If an apartment is offered to a student and the student accepts the offer, the apartment will be reserved for him/her and the contract is closed. Please note that the contract is binding and you will have to pay the rent and security deposit regardless if you are coming to Germany or not.

• The final lease agreement will be made between the applicant and the Studierendenwerk. The University is not involved or liable in this agreement.

• Enrollment at the University of Koblenz is required for renting an apartment at the Studierendenwerk. After moving in, you must enrol as soon as possible and hand in your enrollment certificate at the Studierendenwerk. Deadlines for handing in certificates are 15. November (winter term) and 15. May (summer term).

• The Studierendenwerk offers a starter package to every student moving into a hall of residence against a fee. Detailed information can be found here. 

• Students staying in a hall of residence have to pay a cleaning fee of 80 € for the final cleaning at the end of their stay. Regular weekly cleaning during the semester has to be done by the students themselves.

• Tenancy deposit has to be paid before moving in (600€) as a security for possible damages. It will be returned after moving out, if there is no damage or rent owed.

Please note!

If you bring a partner or/and family who are not enrolled at the University of Koblenz, you cannot apply for an accommodation in the student halls of residence. In this case please look for an accommodation on the private housing market!

How to apply:

If you are an international master's student and interested in an apartment of the Studierendenwerk, please write an e-mail to the points of contact you find below:

• The application procedure for Koblenz:

Please  complete and submit the online form: https://www.studierendenwerk-koblenz.de/en/living/online-application

Please do not forget to confirm your application after receiving a first email by the Koblenz Student Organization/ Studierendenwerk Koblenz.

In Koblenz, there are three private dormitories:

• KHG - das Katholische Studentenwohnheim
• ESG - das Evangelische Studierendenwohnheim
• VEGIS

If your application for the Studierendenwerk was not successful or if you prefer a different type of accommodation, please check carefully this section.

General Information

Many students in Germany live in shared flats. It's less expensive, practical (you share not only the costs, but also household chores) and you always have someone to talk to.

Unfortunately, it's rather difficult to get a room, especially from abroad. We advice you to start your search early and get in contact with as many advertisers as you can.

Please be aware that most accommodation in Germany is rented out without furniture. This means an unfurnished apartment sometimes does not even have a fitted kitchen. Therefore, please always double check if the apartment is furnished or what furniture is included.

The rent mentioned in the advertisment often doesn't include heating, electricity and Internet costs, please check carefully what additional costs come on the top (Kaltmiete/Warmmiete/Inlusivmiete).

The most of the flat owners levy a tenancy deposit (which can amount up to three monthly rents) to cover possible damages. You get it back when moving out if there is no damage or rent owed.

Links

Here are some links that might help you with your search for accommodation on the private housing market. Please consider applying for several accommodations at once to have a plan B.

www.wg-gesucht.de (basic information given in English)

www.zwischenmiete.de (in German)

www.studenten-wg.de (in German)

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/

www.immobilienscout24.de/

You can also have a look on the Facebook website of the relevant study program:

Web Science on Facebook

or Facebook groups connected with accommodation search:

"WG & Wohnung Koblenz gesucht"

"Immobilienmarkt Koblenz und Umgebung"

Student Service Organisation in Koblenz publishes also some private room offers:

Wohnungsbörse Koblenz

Warning:

If you search for an accommodation on the private housing market from abroad, please also be cautious. Unfortunately, there is also fraud possible. Sometimes there are online ads for apartments which do not even exist.

Please be cautious if…

• you are asked to transfer money via Western Union or to arrange similar international transfers (this usually means that it is extremely difficult to track those people who received the money); this kind of requests are very often fraud attemps!

• the landlord says he will send the keys via mail. This is not common in Germany. Usually, you receive the keys when you have arrived and move in.

• the landlord does not agree to arrange a viewing.

• the offer looks too good to be true (modern, furnished apartment for some 150€ can't exist, average price for a single room in Koblenz or Landau is 300-350€).

As a temporary solution you can choose to stay in a hostel, couch surfing or in a vacation house or apartment. You can find them here:

• https://www.diejugendherbergen.de
• https://www.airbnb.de/
• https://www.couchsurfing.com/
• https://www.fewo-direkt.de
• https://www.booking.com

There are several points to consider :

• Check the cancelation period of your current rental contract (usually it is three months).

• Inform your flatmates and the landlord/flat owner about your intention to move out and send a written cancelation notice.

• Look for a new tenant (if required by the landlord).

• Arrange a meeting with the landlord to give over the flat and the keys.

• Pack all your belongings and clean the place before you leave. You may discuss with the new tenant if he/she wants to keep some of your furniture or other stuff you don't want to take.

• If you have any bulky waste, German "Sperrmüll" (furniture, old washing machine etc.), you can order a service to have it disposed under: sperrmuell@stadt.koblenz.de. They will send you a date per e-mail, when they come to pick it up from the street. It may take three to four weeks, so plan it early enough before you move out. You can only put the rubbish on the street on the evening before the given date.

• If you need a car to move your stuff, please check the offer of the Student Service Organisation in Koblenz.They rent moving vans to students for a small fee. Be sure to book it early, as at the end of the semester many students move.

Update your address within:

• the Foreigners' Office

• the City Registration Office

• the ARD/ZDF - Media fee

• your university account in Klips

• your health insurance

• your bank

• other memberships and contracts (city library, sport club, internet company etc.)

As you spent certain time in Germany, there are several matters that have to be done before you leave, to avoid bills and letters chasing you in the months to follow. You may want come back to Germany or visit another European country one day.

• Cancel your rental contract (mind the cancellation period).

• Inform the Foreigners' Office.

• Deregister from the City Registration Office (you can do it up to two weeks before you leave).

• Deregister from the ARD/ZDF Media fee online. Option: Ich möchte meine Wohnung abmelden, weil ich dauerhaft ins Ausland ziehe. (I want to deregister, because I move abroad). Upload and attach your deregistration certificate from the City Registration Office.

• Inform the university.

• Inform your insurance company.

• Close your bank account.

• Finish other memberships or contracts (city library, sport club, mobile/internet contract etc.).

The Student Service Organisation (Studierendenwerk) informs the students approximately two months before the semester starts (in August for the Winter Semester / in February for the Summer Semester) if they get a room. The chance is however rather low due to a big demand.

No, they are not. Only some 5% of students can get a dormitory room.

Be friendly, write few words about yourself, sign with your name (also via WhatsApp). Try to make a good impression. Renting flats in Germany is more like starting a relation than booking a hotel.

Links to the offers can be found here.

The room prices vary from 300 to 400€ per month. Most of the flats are rented without furniture, often also without the kitchen devices. Be prepared to buy the necessary equipment.

Most of the owners take a security deposit in advance that can go up to three monthly rents.

Get in contact with your buddy, senior students (e.g. via Facebook), check for the new offers online every day and apply to each new posting.

A lawyer advice for free can be booked with the Student Service Organisation. See for more information here.