Renting
News and important information about renting a property in Germany.
When should I turn on the heating in my German flat?
As we head into the cold seasons you may be wondering about the rules are around heating your home in Germany. Here's what you need to know.
Where in Germany rental costs are rising fastest
Rents are continuing to rise in Germany, but the situation differs between cities. From rocketing rents in Hamburg and Frankfurt to a slowdown in Berlin, here's the latest price developments on the rental market this year.
What tenants and landlords need to know about Germany’s heating meter deadline
Millions of renters in Germany could be affected by new heating meter rules from January 2027. Here's how to check whether your building complies and when you could be entitled to a reduction in heating costs.
The German cities with the most and least expensive student housing
Tuition at German universities can be quite cheap, but affordable housing is becoming increasingly scarce. A new report reveals which cities are getting harder for students to afford to live in.
Is Germany about to crack down on rent-control loopholes?
Germany's housing crisis has now become a welfare-state issue, according to the German Tenants' Association. Could that finally mean tougher protections for renters?
What you can learn from my 'failed' apartment search in Germany
After putting months of effort into his search for an unlimited contract apartment in Berlin, The Local Germany's Paul Krantz has since spoken to experts and come to understand that his approach was all wrong.
Could your next apartment in Germany be in a former office building?
From Berlin to Munich, politicians and investors are increasingly looking at vacant office blocks as a potential answer to Germany’s housing shortage. But can conversions really make a meaningful difference?
How much can you sublet your apartment for in Germany?
Germany's highest court ruled against a tenant who sublet his Berlin apartment for twice as much rent as he owed. If you plan to sublet your own home, or part of it, there are a few rules you should be aware of.
Will tenants in Germany get the right to install air conditioning?
Your landlord could block you from installing a fixed air conditioning unit on your apartment in Germany under current tenancy law. The justice minister would like to change that.
Why an unresolved housing referendum is shaping Berlin’s election campaign
A significant force in Berlin's coming September election is a 2021 vote to expropriate 240,000 apartments from large, for-profit housing companies. Here's what the debate is about, and what could happen next.
Where rents are rising fastest in Germany in 2026
Overall rent increases in Germany have been relatively small in the past year, barely outpacing inflation. But in some cities, prices are shooting up - and no, Berlin isn't even close to leading the pack.
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.
'Hausratversicherung': What is Germany's household contents insurance?
A fire, leak or break‑in can wipe out everything you own overnight. German 'contents insurance' is cheap, simple and widely used – yet often ignored by international residents until it’s too late.
'Snubbing democracy': Why Germany's new housing plan has angered unions
Rents are rising fast across Germany and the government says it has a new solution. But plans to launch a federal housing corporation, ban the nationalisation of housing stock and restructure housing benefits have sparked fierce opposition.
Are Germany’s big housing firms really addressing discrimination in the market?
Court rulings and studies suggest discrimination in Germany’s housing market is real. So what are landlords doing about it – and is it enough?
Expert advice for navigating discrimination in Germany's housing market
The unfortunate reality is that many foreigners in Germany will face discrimination in their search for a place to live, so what can you do to improve your chances of getting the apartment you want? A relocation professional explains.
Average Berlin rents up by almost 7 percent since 2024
The cost of renting an apartment in Berlin has increased substantially in the last two years, with tenants now paying on average 50 cents more per month per square metre, according to the latest rent index.
Germany's housing crunch is driving away skilled foreign workers
New evidence suggests housing is now a key barrier preventing skilled foreign workers from moving to or staying in Germany. But some companies are getting more proactive about offering assistance.
Where student housing costs are highest in Germany
Students in Germany are having to pay more for accommodation, with average rents for a room in a shared flat rising well above €500 per month in many regions, a new study shows.
Workers in Germany's big cities plagued by lack of affordable housing
Entry-level employees and young professionals see benefits in living in Germany's big cities. But affording to live there is increasingly difficult.
EXPLAINED: The hidden costs of renting in Germany
From kitchens to skirting boards and even front door name signs - renting a flat in Germany can involve a lot of hidden costs.
What Germany's new heating law means for tenants and landlords
Germany’s coalition has agreed to make landlords share the bills when fossil‑fuel systems are installed in rented houses and apartments. Here’s what the compromise means for both sides.
Germany's plan to crack down on high rents for furnished, short-term flats
Germany is planning new rules to rein in high rents on furnished apartments, limit short‑term leases and cap inflation‑linked rent increases.