In Berlin or Munich, a decent flat gets a few hundred enquiries in its first day online. Thirty people are invited, and they all walk through the same rooms within the same hour.
So a viewing, a Wohnungsbesichtigung, works in two directions. You're checking the flat, and the landlord is choosing a tenant. A few clear German sentences and a tidy folder of documents put you ahead of most of the queue.
Getting the Appointment
I'm interested in the flat.
Ich interessiere mich für die Wohnung.
Is the flat still available?
Ist die Wohnung noch frei?
When can I view the flat?
Wann kann ich die Wohnung besichtigen?
I'd like a viewing appointment.
Ich hätte gern einen Besichtigungstermin.
I have a permanent job.
Ich habe eine feste Stelle.
There are two of us.
Wir sind zu zweit.
We have no pets.
Wir haben keine Haustiere.
I don't smoke.
Ich rauche nicht.
I can bring all the documents.
Ich kann alle Unterlagen mitbringen.
Practice these words
Ich interessiere mich für die Wohnung.
Quick notes:
- Your first message decides whether you're invited. Keep it to five lines: who you are, what you do, how many people will move in, when you can move, and that your documents are ready.
- Write formally: Sehr geehrte Frau Schneider or Sehr geehrter Herr Schneider, Sie throughout, and Mit freundlichen Grüßen at the end.
- Answer fast. Many listings are taken offline after a few hours.
Questions About the Money
How much is the rent with running costs?
Wie hoch ist die Warmmiete?
What's included in the running costs?
Was ist in den Nebenkosten enthalten?
How much is the deposit?
Wie hoch ist die Kaution?
When is the flat available from?
Ab wann ist die Wohnung frei?
Is the tenancy fixed-term?
Ist der Mietvertrag befristet?
Has a stepped rent been agreed?
Ist eine Staffelmiete vereinbart?
How high are the heating costs?
Wie hoch sind die Heizkosten?
Practice these words
Wie hoch ist die Warmmiete?
Quick note: the words behind these questions are in the rental words lesson. Warmmiete is the one that matters: it's what you transfer each month.
Questions About the Flat
May I have a quick look around?
Darf ich mich kurz umsehen?
May I take photos?
Darf ich Fotos machen?
Is there a fitted kitchen?
Gibt es eine Einbauküche?
Does the kitchen stay in the flat?
Bleibt die Küche in der Wohnung?
Is there a cellar?
Gibt es einen Keller?
How is the flat heated?
Wie wird die Wohnung geheizt?
Where can I connect a washing machine?
Wo kann ich eine Waschmaschine anschließen?
Are pets allowed?
Sind Haustiere erlaubt?
Has there ever been mould here?
Gab es hier schon mal Schimmel?
Is it noisy here?
Ist es hier laut?
Do I have to paint when I move out?
Muss ich beim Auszug streichen?
Practice these words
Darf ich mich kurz umsehen?
Quick notes:
- Bleibt die Küche? sounds odd until you've rented in Germany. Many flats come without a kitchen, and the one you see may belong to the current tenant. More on that in house and furniture.
- Look at the corners of the bathroom and behind the wardrobes for Schimmel. Asking about it is normal and nobody takes offence.
- Check your phone signal in every room, and ask who the neighbours are.
Saying You Want It
I like the flat very much.
Die Wohnung gefällt mir sehr gut.
I'd like to take the flat.
Ich würde die Wohnung gern nehmen.
I could move in from the first of March.
Ich könnte zum ersten März einziehen.
Here are my documents.
Hier sind meine Unterlagen.
When will you decide?
Wann entscheiden Sie sich?
What happens next?
Wie geht es jetzt weiter?
Thank you for your time.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Zeit.
Practice these words
Die Wohnung gefällt mir sehr gut.
Quick note: say it out loud before you leave. Landlords often pick from the people who clearly wanted the flat and handed over complete papers on the spot.
How a Viewing Really Works
Group viewings are normal. A Massenbesichtigung means a queue on the stairs and ten minutes inside. Arrive five minutes early, greet the landlord or agent by name, and introduce yourself in one sentence.
You're being assessed. Landlords want a tenant who pays on time and stays for years. They may ask about your job, your income and how many people will live there. Questions about religion, pregnancy or plans for children are not allowed, and you don't have to answer them.
The landlord may not be there. Viewings are often run by the Hausverwaltung, an agent, or the outgoing tenant looking for a Nachmieter. Be just as polite to the tenant. Their recommendation often decides it.
Follow up the same day. A short email thanking them and repeating that you'd like the flat is common, and it helps.
What to Bring
Germans call it a Bewerbungsmappe, an application folder. Bring it on paper and have the same thing ready as a single PDF.
| Document | What it is |
|---|---|
Mieterselbstauskunft | a form with your details, job and income; landlords often send their own |
Schufa-Auskunft | your German credit report |
Gehaltsnachweise | your last three payslips |
Arbeitsvertrag | your employment contract, if you've just started the job |
Ausweis oder Pass | your ID or passport to show, plus your residence permit if you have one |
Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung | a letter from your previous landlord saying you owe no rent |
Quick notes:
- The Schufa sells a report made for landlords, the BonitätsCheck, and you can download it at once. The free report, the Datenkopie, comes by post within one to four weeks and shows far more than a landlord needs. If you use the free one, order it before you start looking and black out the rest.
- New in Germany and no Schufa record yet? Say so, and offer something else: your employment contract, a letter from your employer, or a Bürgschaft, where someone guarantees your rent.