One of the biggest crisis’s right now in Berlin is housing.
Rental prices are skyrocketing, landlords are refusing to sell, and the demand for an apartment far outweighs the supply. If you tried moving to Berlin 10 years ago, you would have experienced the birth of this crisis. Unfortunately, nowadays, the struggle is unimaginable. Many people live their first 2-3 years here sublet-hopping – and I, unfortunately, am one of those people. On the bright-side of this, I now have a ton of experience in searching for apartments in Berlin.
Below you’ll find all the gathered resources, information, and tips I’ve collected over the last year and a half to help you in how to find an apartment in Berlin right now.
Where To Look First: Rental Websites
Rental websites should be the first place you look if you’re trying to score an apartment in Berlin.
The 3 main rental websites locals and expats in the know use are: WG-Gesucht, Immobilienscout24, and EBay Kleinanzeigen. For these sites, it doesn’t matter if you’re searching for long-term or short-term stay. You’ll find both options available, with the exception of Immobilienscout24 – this one is more for longer term rentals.
The downside to these sites is that they are in German, but Google chrome almost always offers a translate page option (except on Immobilienscout24).
TIP: You will need to create an account for each of these sites in order to contact apartments and make inquiries.
WG-Gesucht
This site is by far my favorite of the three when it comes to finding an apartment in Berlin.
It’s clean, easy to use, and you can really filter out all the junk to get to exactly what you’re looking for.
Plus you get to see how many people have visited a particular posting before you – so you can have a better idea the number of people your competing with.
(Right now, after one hour of being posted online, some ads are already getting up to 750 hits!)
Check it out here.
TIP: Make sure to keep your notifications on for this one. You want to be one of the first ones to contact about inquiries when something comes up.
Immobilienscout24
With this site, you’ll be more frequently in contact with real estate agents or actual landlords of the apartment, versus the person renting from the landlord (which is more common via wg-gesucht).
Word your messages well, but try to find a phone number or agency to contact. You’ll have better luck reaching someone over the phone.
Check it out here.
EBay Kleinanzeigan
Yes, you see it right – it’s EBay.
I can’t explain why, but EBay is a big thing here. Especially when it comes to apartment searching. It’s like Craigslist for Midwestern, USA.
So, when you’re tired of the other two platforms, give this one a go! To get to the site.
Habyt
Formerly known as “Quarters,” Habyt is offers contracts for coliving spaces.
They do have private rooms and private apartments available as well, but offers are few and they go fast.
To the site.
Social Media
While it wouldn’t be the first place I would send you, social media platforms can also be useful when it comes to searching for apartments in Berlin.
Facebook Groups
There are a ton of different apartment rental groups on Facebook.
Some more active than others, some more useful than others.
You’ll find which is most suitable for you.
Recommended Active Groups for 2022:
- Berlin Apartments/Rooms/Homes for Rent/Sale
- Berlin Apartments & Rooms for Rent
- Apartments in Berlin
- Berlin Rooms, Flats, Housing, Roommates and Expats
TIP: Make sure to keep your notifications on for this one. You want to be one of the first ones to contact about inquiries when something comes up.
Facebook Marketplace
Marketplace is really more for short-term rentals.
Most of the time, you’ll find places available from 3 days to 2 months – occasionally a bit longer.
The downside is that you have to click each post to read the description and know the details, so it can feel like a waste of time, but you’ll always find new posts to click through.
If you have a lot of Berliner friends, try posting your apartment search in your story.
I’ve seen many available apartments get listed this way – passing through friends and contacts of friends.
You’ll have to be a little more flexible when the rental period and space when it comes to this route, though.
Other Ways On How To Find An Apartment In Berlin
Hang up flyers
Flyers are definitely not the most efficient way to find an apartment, but if you know anything about Berlin, it’s pretty old school.
So try your luck.
Hang a flyer… or 50!
WOM
Word-of-mouth is by far the most common way I’ve heard of people scoring a space in the past year.
Talk to friends, talk local business owners, talk to anyone you can, really.
Someone will know someone who knows someone (or something) that could help.
Contact A Rental Agency
Try working with a rental company if you don’t have the time or energy to put towards searching for an apartment in Berlin yourself.
Rental companies help tp remove the stress of the current hunt, but require a percentage of your rental price in exchange. (Note: you only pay once a place has been secured and you have a signed contract).
However, it’s important to mention that you may need to contact multiple companies since many are out of available spaces at the moment.
