Rental Houses in Germany Explained: WG, Studio Apartments, 1ZKB, Studentenwohnheim & More 

Hello Haus hunters! 
Welcome to Brizz.me—a platform for Indian expats that not only helps you find rental homes, Indian events, and services near you, but also guides you in navigating your newfound German life. I’m Diya, your friendly homework-doer, so you don’t have to lift a finger (except to scroll, of course) 😉. 
Whether you’re hunting for a budget-friendly WG-Zimmer (shared flat room), a cozy 1ZKB (1 Zimmer, Küche, Bad (BHK)) or studio apartment, or a full-blown Einfamilienhaus (family house) with a garden and a grill in Germany – ich habe alles für dich! (I have everything for you😊!) 
From deciphering listings to avoiding rental scams 🎯, I’ve got the hacks, how-tos, and insider tips to help you rent like a pro in Germany. Whether you’re in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, or a sleepy little town, this is your ultimate house-hunting handbook.

So, buckle up, future Mieter  (tenant) – it’s time to make German housing your game! 

The housing crisis, particularly in big German cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt can feel like a marathon—too many people, too few homes, and flats that vanish within hours after getting 100+ applications.  
To impress landlords, you usually need the full package: a SCHUFA (credit score), proof of income at least three times the rent, a job contract, and ideally some German language skills. Viewings are quick—just 10–15 minutes (especially in WGs) and your chances often depend on both your paperwork and the “vibe” you give off. And upon that comes the German bureaucracy: everything from the Mietvertrag (rental contract) to Anmeldung (city registration) is in German.  
This can be overwhelming. But don’t stress—We got your back with practical tips, handy resources, and even a little homesickness solution to make finding an apartment in Germany a smoother ride. 

• WG (Wohngemeinschaft) – Shared Flat: Room in a shared flat; kitchen & bathroom shared. Great for students, newcomers & social people. Look for Studentenwohnheim via your university – cheaper but hard to get (3-6 months of waiting times after application). 

💡⚠️ Culture shock + WG parties? Oh yes. Be ready. 

• Studio Apartment (1-Zimmer Wohnung): A one-room apartment combines your bedroom, living space, and kitchen all in one—usually around 18–25 m², with a compact kitchen, fridge, and bathroom (May or may not have a Keller (Storage space in the basement)). While the rent per square meter is typically higher, the big win is complete privacy (woohoo!).  

🎯 Perfect for PhDs, interns, digital nomads, or professionals who are “done with roommates”. 

💡 Personal note: I lived in one for 3 years. Cozy, efficient, and mine-all-mine. 

• 2–3 Zimmer Apartment: This apartment usually comes with a separate bedroom, a living/dining area, a compact but functional kitchen, and often a balcony! Most also include a Keller (basement storage), perfect for stashing luggage, seasonal clothes, or your stockpile of masalas and snacks from home. It’s a great fit for couples or small families who want more space than a one-room flat.  
  ⚠ Welcome to the literal world! German language while difficult, is often straightforward. Like for example, “1-Zimmer Wohnung” in Germany is not a 1-bedroom apartment. Instead, a 1-Zimmer apartment in Germany usually means a studio-style flat: one combined living/sleeping area with a small kitchenette (often tucked into a corner of the same room) plus a separate bathroom. It does not mean a one-bedroom apartment. For example, a 2-Zimmer apartment includes one living room and one bedroom (not two bedrooms!). 

💡 Tip: if you’re renting a furnished place, look for one with a dishwasher—it’s a true lifesaver when guests come over!  

Mind-blown moment: kitchens aren’t always included in German apartments. Sometimes you’ll have to buy a modular kitchen yourself—sink, stove, the whole setup—and then sell it when you move out. Welcome to the ultimate IKEA Olympics! 

• Einfamilienhaus / Reihenhaus: A full house with three or more rooms, often including a garden and parking, is usually more common outside the city center. These homes are perfect for families or anyone who needs extra space, offering long-term leases, more autonomy, and room for storage. Many full houses come furnished or semi-furnished, making the move-in process easier. 

💡 Tip: having a garden is a bonus for kids, pets, or weekend BBQs, and parking can save you the daily hunt for a spot in busy neighborhoods. 

• Serviced Apartments / Temporary Housing / Airbnb: These rentals are perfect for short-term stays, offering fully furnished spaces with flexible leases. While they tend to be more expensive, they’re extremely convenient for new arrivals, interns, or anyone who hasn’t yet found a long-term home. These options give you a ready-to-move-in solution with all the essentials, making the transition to life in Germany much smoother. 

Unfurnished (unmöbliert) apartments often come without a kitchen, wardrobes, or light fixtures, while furnished ones usually include a bed, wardrobe, desk, full kitchen, and sometimes internet, cutlery, and crockery. 

💡Tip: IKEA + eBay Kleinanzeigen = lifesavers. Buy cheap, set up quick, and sell it when you leave. Or hand it over to the next tenant like a pro. 

Living in Germany comes with its own set of house rules and culture shocks—especially in WGs (shared apartments). Quiet hours are strictly from 10 PM to 6 AM, so no late-night drum solos!  
Shared spaces need to be kept clean, because everyone chips in. All rental contracts are legal and binding, so read carefully before signing. Expect to give at least three months’ notice if you want to cancel your lease, and pets usually need landlord permission. Oh, and don’t forget heating bills, garbage separation, and water usage are taken very seriously here.  

👉 To know more about fun culture shocks, read our blog. 

Documents You’ll Need to Apply or Rent an Apartment in Germany 

• SCHUFA (credit report – see below) 

• Proof of income (salary slips or job contract) 

• Passport & residence permit 

• Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung (rent debt clearance letter) 

• Personal intro letter (a MUST for WGs!) 

• Privathaftpflichtversicherung (Personal Liability Insurance) 

SCHUFA = Germany’s official credit score. 

Your SCHUFA check is a key document in Germany—landlords use it to filter tenants, confirm financial reliability, and check for unpaid debts. You’ll typically need it for studio apartments, private rentals, einfamilienhaus / reihenhaus and long-term leases, while it’s optional (but still helpful) for WGs, dorms, or sublets.  
You can get your SCHUFA online at meineSCHUFA.de for €29.95, try the free alternative bonify.de (though it’s not accepted everywhere), or visit Postbank branches in person.  

💡Tip: Apply for it after your Anmeldung, and keep a digital copy handy—many landlords accept it electronically. Also, double-check your personal details before submitting, because errors can slow down your rental applications. 

Not mandatory — but totally your hero cape in Germany! 

• Oops! Spilled wine on your landlord’s couch? Covered. 

• Flooded the bathroom and leaked into the neighbor’s flat? Covered. 

• Broke the fancy sink? You guessed it — covered. 

Getting tenant insurance in Germany is a smart move—it costs just €3–6 per month and can save you from paying thousands if something goes wrong. Landlords love tenants who have it, and some even require it! You can get coverage through online portals like Check24 or Verivox, via user-friendly apps like Getsafe, or from big-name insurers such as Allianz and HUK-COBURG.  

💡 tip: Look for Mietsachschäden (damage to rented things) in your policy and visit Brizz.me for finding English speaking insurance advisors near you for a seamless integration into the insurance world! 

When it comes to finding a place in Germany, different platforms cater to different needs.  Popular platforms include:

• WG-Gesucht.de – The go-to site for students and shared apartments. 

•  Immobilienscout24.de – Perfect for apartments and family homes across Germany. 

• Kleinenzeigen.de – Budget-friendly deals, including sublets and temporary housing. 

• Immonet.de / Wohnungsboerse.net – Good for browsing a wide range of listings, from studios to large family homes. 

• Brizz.me – Brizz.me offers verified rental homes and shared apartments shared by the Indian community, making it easier for expats to feel at home, stay connected, and overcome homesickness in Germany. 

💡 Tip: Set up alerts. Good listings vanish in hours! 

When introducing yourself in a WG or on a rental platform, make your message count—it’s everything!  
Start with your name and what you do, mention where you’re from, and share a bit about your lifestyle, pets, and hobbies. Be clear about whether you smoke or party, and don’t forget to mention that you’re tidy, respectful, and easy to live with. A well-rounded, honest intro helps you stand out and makes landlords or roommates feel confident choosing you. 

💡 Tip: A thoughtful, warm message = 50% of the job done. The rest? Documents. 

When you move in, your landlord will provide a few key documents you need to get settled in Germany. The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) is required for your Anmeldung (address registration). You’ll also get the Mietvertrag (official lease)—make sure to keep 2–3 copies! 
The Nebenkosten (utilities) breakdown will show your costs for heating, water, and trash. Don’t delay your Anmeldung, because you’ll need it to set up health insurance, get a tax ID, open a bank account, and even sign phone contracts. 

💡Tip: When you move in, it’s a good idea to take video or photo documentation of the apartment. If you find any damages or issues within the first two weeks, you can report them to the landlord. According to German rental practices, these problems should be fixed by the owner and cannot be unfairly charged to you later. 

👉 Click to read our full guide on Anmeldung in Germany. 

• Kaltmiete = base rent (just the space) 

• Nebenkosten = heating, water, trash etc. 

• Warmmiete = Kaltmiete + Nebenkosten 

• Electricity and internet are separate; tenant pays directly. 

🙄P.S TV tax is a real thing; you will need to pay it separately.  

Now that you have all the moving tips, before bidding a farewell, let me shed some drops of wisdom on what to do before moving out.😉  

When it’s time to move out, it’s not just handing over keys and saying “tschüss!” Nope. You need to hand the flat back in hotel-clean condition. Some must-Dos Before You Leave: 

• Clean every corner – think spring cleaning ×10 

• Paint the walls white – yes, even that soft lilac wall 

• Fill nail holes, fix broken bulbs, reseal bathroom edges 

• Scrub kitchen and bathroom like a pro 

• Empty storage areas – attic, basement, everything 

• Leave no personal items – not even that cute shelf you think they’ll love 

💡Tip: Throw a “Goodbye Flat” cleaning party with loud Bollywood music, gloves, and pizza breaks. You’ll be surprised how fun scrubbing can be. 

• The White Wall Obsession: Germans are serious about returning flats with white walls. It’s almost sacred. So, if Pinterest tells you to go boho teal — resist the urge.  

Facing difficulties in finding movers and packers in Germany? Think they are too costly? Log in to your Brizz.me account and find movers and packers (Umzug). See I told you; we got you covered! 😉 

Renting in Germany isn’t hard once you crack the system — it takes patience, prep, and a little Diya-magic ✨.  
Whether you start off in a cozy WG or move into a dream balcony flat, the key is: stay proactive, stay respectful, and keep your documents handy. And hey – when your Kaution (deposit) comes back in full, it feels like winning an Olympic gold medal.  
For Indian expats, Brizz.me is a lifesaver for finding rentals in Germany. This website is designed for Indian community in Germany and helps you connect with people from India who offer verified rental listings. Whether it’s a WG, studio, or family home, Brizz.me keeps you connected to the desi community online and helps you navigate life abroad.