Renting in Germany: rooms, bills and address registration
Why two rooms may not mean two bedrooms, and what to ask about registration.
Read the floor plan
Make it in Germany explains that room counts generally exclude kitchens and bathrooms. For a family, list actual bedrooms, walk-through rooms and workspace. Request a dimensioned plan: wide-angle photographs cannot tell you whether two children’s beds will fit.
Housing and registration connect
Registering rented accommodation requires a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, the housing provider’s confirmation of moving in. Find your municipality’s form and discuss obtaining it before signing. It is not simply the rental contract; do not buy a fictitious address.
Build the complete housing budget
Electricity and gas usually need separate registration; check the exact bill breakdown. Use three rows: rent, recurring additional bills and upfront cash. Add internet, missing furniture and moving costs. Compare homes using the same household configuration rather than the headline listing price.
Keep this checklist
- Bedroom plan and written monthly cost breakdown.
- Housing confirmation form for your municipality.
Sources and review date
Reviewed 2026-09-13Editorial practical guidance; individual legal and tax circumstances require a separate assessment.