Flatshare casting and apartment viewing: how to prepare

At a viewing, you check whether the apartment or room suits you, and the others check whether you suit them. At a flatshare casting (WG-Casting), the main question is whether you get along in everyday life. For an apartment, the landlord pays more attention to reliability and complete documents. Either way, know the listing well beforehand, take your time looking at the rooms and ask your questions before you agree to anything.

event_noteBefore the viewing

Read the listing again carefully and note down anything that is unclear. The most important points are the total rent including service charges, the amount of the deposit (Kaution), the move-in date and whether the contract is for a fixed term. Look at the location on a map: how long does it take to get to university or work, are there shops nearby, is the flat on a busy street?

You usually don't need any documents for a flatshare casting. For an apartment, though, bring everything a landlord might ask for:

• ID card or passport
• a completed tenant self-disclosure form (Mieterselbstauskunft)
• proof of income for the last three months; students can also bring their BAföG notice or a guarantee from their parents (Bürgschaft)
• a recent credit report
• a certificate from your current landlord confirming you have no rent arrears (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung), if you are already renting

The easiest way is a ready-made application folder that you bring printed and can send digitally right after the viewing.

Be on time. If you can't make an appointment, cancel in good time.

groupsThe flatshare casting

At a flatshare casting you meet the flatmates, usually for a chat in the kitchen or living room. Some flatshares invite several people at once, others take time for each person individually. In big university cities, you may be one of many castings in a single evening.

The flatshare wants to find out whether you would get along in everyday life. Honest answers matter more than perfect ones. Describe what your daily life is really like instead of what you think they want to hear. Otherwise, you only find out it doesn't work after you have moved in.

Ask your own questions too. It shows interest and helps you find out whether the flatshare suits you:

• What is living together like? Do you do a lot together, or is it more of a practical arrangement (Zweck-WG)?
• Is there a cleaning rota, and how well does it work?
• How are service charges, internet and shared shopping split?
• Who is on the rental contract, and will I get a sublease agreement (Untermietvertrag)?
• Why is the current flatmate moving out?

Which type of flatshare suits you is explained in the article Types of flatshares.

apartmentThe apartment viewing

Popular apartments often have group viewings with many people. Don't let that put you under pressure. Look at the rooms calmly anyway and ask your questions. Besides your documents, landlords pay attention to whether you seem reliable and interested in the apartment.

If you are interested, say so at the viewing and send your complete documents the same day. Whoever submits a complete application first often has an advantage.

Under German data protection law, the landlord may only ask for your contact details at the viewing. They may only ask for proof of income and a credit report once you have said you are seriously interested in the apartment.

searchWhat to check in the apartment

Take photos of anything you notice, but ask first whether that's okay. If you see defects, mention them straight away and have them recorded in the handover report (Übergabeprotokoll) before you move in. More on this in the article Handover report. What you can do about defects after moving in is explained in the article Rental defects.

helpQuestions for the landlord

• How high are the service charges, and how much was the last statement?
• What do the service charges include, and what do I pay directly, such as electricity or gas?
• How high is the deposit, and can I pay it in instalments?
• Is the contract for a fixed term, and is there a waiver of the right to give notice (Kündigungsverzicht)?
• Are any renovations or modernisations planned?
• Am I allowed to sublet rooms or keep pets?
• When is the apartment available?

warningWarning signs of fraud

Fake listings exist for flatshare rooms and apartments alike. Be careful if

• you are asked to transfer money before you have seen the apartment and signed the contract,
• the landlord is supposedly abroad and wants to send the keys by post,
• the rent is far below what comparable apartments cost,
• you are pushed to agree or pay immediately.

Never pay a deposit or rent for an apartment you haven't viewed. Estate agents are not allowed to charge for a viewing, and reputable landlords don't either.

task_altAfter the viewing

Write down your impressions the same day. After several viewings, the details quickly blur. Compare the offers by cost, condition, location and, for a flatshare, whether you felt comfortable with the people.

For a flatshare, a short message thanking them for the meeting and saying whether you are still interested goes down well. For an apartment, send any missing documents.

Don't agree just because you are being pressured. Read the rental contract carefully before you sign.

Still looking? Find flatshare rooms and apartments here. How to write a message that flatshares reply to is explained in the article How to write a flatshare application.