Domily Blog

How to Find an Apartment in Germany as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

September 28, 2025· Updated March 10, 2026

Step-by-step guide to renting an apartment in Germany as an expat or foreigner. Best websites, required documents, how to beat the competition.

Documents Needed to Rent an Apartment in Germany (2026 Checklist)

November 5, 2025· Updated February 18, 2026

Complete checklist: SCHUFA, proof of income, bank statements, ID & more. What first-time renters need, with tips for foreigners without German documents.

Can You Smoke Weed in Your Rented Apartment in Germany? (2026 Tenant Rights)

November 9, 2025· Updated April 4, 2026

Cannabis is legal in Germany since 2024 — but can you smoke weed in your rental apartment (Mietwohnung)? What landlords can prohibit, balcony rules, and your 2026 tenant rights.

Understanding Your Rights as a Tenant in Germany

November 8, 2025· Updated January 22, 2026

Learn about German tenant rights, rent increases, contract terms, and how to protect yourself when renting an apartment in Germany.

What Is the Best Property Management Software for Landlords?

October 5, 2025· Updated March 15, 2026

Discover which tools help small landlords manage their rentals efficiently from tracking payments to handling tenants and documents.

Best Websites for Expats to Find Apartments in Europe (2025/2026)

November 29, 2025· Updated April 4, 2026

Best rental websites for expats finding homes in Europe in 2026: pan-European portals, country-specific platforms, and what to use for Germany, Spain, France and the Netherlands.

German Rental Deposit (Kaution): Max 3 Months Cold Rent §551 BGB (2026)

December 1, 2025· Updated April 4, 2026

Germany rental deposit maximum: 3 months cold rent (Kaltmiete) under §551 BGB. Pay in installments, earn interest, know your 2026 tenant rights.

Do Apartments in Germany Allow Pets? Laws & Landlord Rules (2026)

December 5, 2025· Updated February 8, 2026

Can landlords refuse pets in Germany? Dogs, cats and small animals in your rental apartment: 2026 rules, what landlords can legally ban, and how to get written permission.

Stop Managing Your Rental with ChatGPT and WhatsApp

November 22, 2025· Updated January 30, 2026

Using WhatsApp and ChatGPT to manage your rental seems easy, but it creates confusion, conflict and stress for both tenants and landlords.

Proof of Income for Renting in Germany: What Landlords Accept (2026)

December 12, 2025· Updated March 1, 2026

Complete guide to Einkommensnachweis: what counts as proof of income for German landlords, alternatives for freelancers, students, and foreigners without German income.

How to Find an Apartment in Germany as a Student (2026 Guide)

December 18, 2025· Updated February 14, 2026

Complete guide for students renting in Germany: housing options, documents without work history, blocked accounts, WG rooms, and budget tips by city.

How to Rent an Apartment in Germany Without SCHUFA (2026 Guide)

December 22, 2025· Updated March 8, 2026

New to Germany with no SCHUFA? Complete guide to renting without a German credit history: alternatives landlords accept and how to build your SCHUFA quickly.

German Rental Contract (Mietvertrag) Explained: What to Check Before Signing

December 28, 2025· Updated February 20, 2026

Complete guide to understanding your German Mietvertrag: key clauses, red flags, illegal terms, and what every tenant should check before signing.

Anmeldung in Germany: Complete English Guide to Registering Your Address (2026)

January 3, 2026· Updated March 17, 2026

Step-by-step Anmeldung guide in English: what it is, why you need it within 14 days, required documents, how to book a Bürgeramt appointment, and what to do if you don't have an apartment yet.

Nebenkostenabrechnung Explained: How to Read Your German Utility Bill (2026)

January 5, 2026· Updated February 28, 2026

Complete guide to the Nebenkostenabrechnung: what operating costs are included, how to read your annual utility statement, what Nachzahlung and Guthaben mean, and how to dispute errors.

Warmmiete vs Kaltmiete: What's Actually Included in German Rent? (2026)

January 7, 2026· Updated March 14, 2026

Clear explanation of Warmmiete and Kaltmiete: what each includes, why German listings show Kaltmiete, how to calculate your true monthly costs, and red flags to watch for.

Moving Out of Your German Apartment: Complete Checklist & Übergabeprotokoll Guide (2026)

January 9, 2026· Updated February 12, 2026

Complete moving out checklist for Germany: Kündigung notice periods, Übergabeprotokoll walkthrough, Schönheitsreparaturen obligations, getting your Kaution back, and Abmeldung when leaving.

How to Get Accepted in a German Flatshare (WG): Application Tips That Actually Work (2026)

January 11, 2026· Updated March 6, 2026

Complete guide to WG applications in Germany: understanding WG culture, writing effective first messages, surviving the WG casting, and red flags to watch for on WG-Gesucht and other platforms.

How to List Your Apartment in Germany Without a Broker (Landlord Guide 2026)

January 13, 2026· Updated February 22, 2026

Complete guide for German landlords: list your apartment without a Makler, write effective listings, take good photos, screen tenants properly, and handle viewings efficiently.

Finding an Apartment in Berlin as an Expat: Complete 2026 Guide

January 16, 2026· Updated March 11, 2026

Comprehensive guide to renting in Berlin: market reality, Mietpreisbremse rent caps, neighborhood breakdown, best platforms, Anmeldung challenges, scam awareness, and realistic timelines for expats.

WG-Gesucht in English: How German Flatshares (WG) Work (2026)

April 4, 2026· Updated April 4, 2026

Complete English guide to flatshares in Germany (WGs): what a Wohngemeinschaft is, how WG-Gesucht works, the casting culture, typical rents, and how to message in English.

Unterlagen für die Wohnungsbewerbung: Vollständige Checkliste (2026)

February 14, 2026· Updated March 22, 2026

Welche Unterlagen brauchst du für die Wohnungsbewerbung? Personalausweis, SCHUFA, Einkommensnachweise, Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung und mehr. Komplette Checkliste mit Tipps.

Wohnung finden in Deutschland: Schritt-für-Schritt-Anleitung (2026)

February 28, 2026· Updated April 5, 2026

Wie findest du eine Mietwohnung in Deutschland? Budget, Plattformen, Unterlagen, Besichtigung, Mietvertrag und Anmeldung. Praktische Anleitung für 2026.

Mietkaution in Deutschland: Höhe, Ratenzahlung und Rückzahlung nach §551 BGB

March 8, 2026· Updated March 22, 2026

Mietkaution in Deutschland: Maximal 3 Kaltmieten nach §551 BGB, Ratenzahlung, Anlage, Rückzahlung und deine Rechte. Vollständiger Ratgeber für Mieter 2026.

Mietvertrag in Deutschland: Was du vor der Unterschrift prüfen solltest (2026)

March 15, 2026· Updated March 22, 2026

Mietvertrag in Deutschland prüfen: Kaltmiete, Nebenkosten, Kündigungsfrist, unwirksame Klauseln, Staffelmiete und Befristung. Was das BGB sagt und worauf du achten musst.

Nebenkostenabrechnung: Was drin steht, was nicht rein darf und wie du Fehler findest (2026)

March 22, 2026· Updated April 5, 2026

Nebenkostenabrechnung prüfen: Welche Kosten umlagefähig sind (BetrKV), welche nicht, Fristen, Verteilerschlüssel und wie du Widerspruch einlegst. Ratgeber für Mieter 2026.