Find Housing in Berlin - (to Rent)

One of the first things you will worry about when moving to Berlin is the housing situation. 'Where to live, how much rent, what kind of papers do I need and where do I find the best housing?' This post will deal with the latter of these questions, namely: 'Where to find housing in Berlin'?

Here in Germany, we usually differentiate between real estate agents, housing societies and private landlords. First and foremost, you have to understand the basic differences between a German housing society or "Wohnungsbaugesellschaften" (privately run housing societies providing rentals for a fair price regulated by the general private rental index). The other ones are typical real estate agents and then you also have the just straight up landlords/tenants or "Eigentümer/Hauptmieter" wanting to (sub)let their places for varying rental periods.
For the latter, you usually just pay the rent without any additional costs or courtages.



Housing Societies - Wohnungsbaugesellschaften:
In Berlin alone, there are about 80 housing societies managing over 180.000 homes. Renting a home from one of these agencies is a good and secure choice since rent contracts are adapted to the conditions and legislations which protect tenants in Germany (this is also why many Germans opt to rent rather than to buy). Any problems such as pipe-bursts, etc. will be fixed without fuss or delay and rent prices are usually adapted to the general rental index. No extra fees apply except the usual mandatory 2-month deposit on top of the first month's rent.

Real Estate Agents - Immobilienbüros:
Immobilienbüros are private housing companies which offer housing and act as middlemen between you and the owners of the apartment or house.  This is why it is hardly surprising that these agents make their money by either charging a higher monthly rent price or simply asking for a 'Makler Courtage' or brokerage, which usually consists an additional payment of 2- to 3 month's rent. So finding a place through this source would be certainly quick and hassle-free, but will also be costly.


Landlords and Tenants:
If you are considering Berlin for a temporary option at first, and you do not want to commit to a year's contract, then it may be advisable to try your luck with homes from the actual landlords/private owners or subletting a place. Renting or subletting a place has the serious advantages: rental periods are limited and have no further obligations attached, rent usually includes all costs such as electricity, heating, water and internet etc., you only pay one month's rent deposit, places are mostly fully furnished - if it's a sublet, you can meet locals who can show you around and give you valuable tips for life in Berlin.



Berlin's Housing Societies - Wohnungsbaugesellschaften

http://wbm.de/wbm/cms/de/wohnen/Mietwohnungen.html

http://gewobag.de/

http://gsw.de/de/mieten/

http://arwobau.de/

Private Landlords (newspapers), Real Estate Search Engines and other Forums:

http://immonet.morgenpost.de/ (Berlin paper)
http://immobilienscout24.de/de/finden/wohnen/index.jsp (major search engine -rentals and sales)
http://kleinanzeigen.zitty.de/Wohnungen (Berlin magazine)
http://tagesspiegel.immowelt.de/immobilien/mieten_inland.aspx  (housing section of Berlin daily paper)
http://service.tip-berlin.de/anzeigen/index.php/Wohnen  (major Berlin magazine)
http://kleinanzeigen.ebay.de  (ebay classifieds - free!)
http://zweitehand.de/immobilien/mieten/wohnung (classifieds search engine)
http://wg-gesucht.de  (good option for sublets and shared apartments!)
http://studentenwg.de (good option for sublets and shared apartments!)