Discovering Germany

Housing Home Finding

The housing situation in Germany is unique and is emblematic of the German culture and style. Houses and apartments in Germany are often smaller and have fewer built-in furnishings at a comparably higher price than in many other countries. In Germany, many people live in apartments rather than houses, especially in larger cities. A high percentage of properties have two to three bedrooms and just one bathroom. It is not common in Germany to have two full bathrooms in apartments. Single detached houses tend to be in the outer suburbs of towns and cities. Just one or two bedroom houses are not common in Germany. Large, family-friendly, furnished accommodations are rare. Furnished properties are approximately 30% more expensive than unfurnished properties. Most foreigners moving to Germany choose to rent their accommodation rather than to buy a property. Germans tend to buy houses for life and there is little fluctuation in the real-estate market, although the demand remains high. It is not unusual for to-be owners to take up to two years to find their home. Good properties are not on the market for very long. This situation means that there is usually not much time to negotiate the lease terms and that a speedy, sometimes even immediate decision is required if one decides to rent a particular property. A multiple listing system does not exist in Germany. This means that all estate agents have to be contacted on an individual basis and only make offers from their own listings. Since the realtor’s fee is paid by the tenant, landlords often engage two or more estate agents to find a suitable tenant. Therefore, one might receive the same offer from two different agents. If this happens it is necessary to inform the second estate agent immediately to avoid paying the fee twice. Estate agents are not the only option when looking for housing. Occasionally, private offers can be found directly from landlords through newspaper advertisements and the internet. Direct offers and internet postings do not require an estate agent fee. Home Contents Insurance ( Hausratversicherung ) Household insurance, covering the contents of your home against fire, water damage, theft, vandalism, and hail is not required by law in Germany. But it is recommended, and some landlords demand it. It is advisable to insure your home for €700 per square meter of living space, since otherwise, you may be underinsured, and the insurance company may not pay 100% of the damage.

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Discovering Germany