One of the reason why my blog has been so quiet the last few months is that we've been busy looking for a bigger apartment. I've never imagined before that this will take so much time and sweat. It took us almost three months and 18 apartment viewings. Altogether it requires an enormous amount of time. There was even one day when I viewed three apartments, one in the morning before work, one at lunch break as it was just a few minutes from work and then one after work. Needless to say that I've been exhausted.
The good news is, YEAH we got one apartment. We had to slightly higher our budget and make a few compromises. However it's a very nice apartment and I am very happy that the hunt is over.
The weird thing while house-hunting was that the landlords are looking for people with a steady job, good income but you should have time to view the house in the middle of the day in short notice. Maybe once in a while it's even possible to drop everything and come running to the viewing but then as it takes time I cannot do it all the time. The last few years the housing situation in Berlin has worsened. Nowadays is is very hard to find an affordable apartment which is not in the suburbs.
The sites I mostly checked were.
immobilienscout24
immonet
You can register and do a search request with your criteria.
When you phone to ask about the viewing you need a lot of patience and the landlords or estate agents are not in and don't answer calls and almost don't call back. Sometimes they reply to emails. Once you know when to view the apartment, don't be surprised to be among many others. Then if you're interested you will have to give your documents. This is mostly the same: copy of your passport (in case of foreigner a copy of your "Meldebescheinigung" registration card), copies of your three last salary statement, statement from your present landlord that you don't have rent arrears, Schufa (can do it online at meineschufa) sometimes you will have to sign an agreement that the landlord will inquire your schufa.
Then it's good to call the next day. Often the apartment was gone so quickly.
Of course once you got a contract you should read it carefully. You can also get it check at the Mieterschutzbund. If your'e not a member you will have to pay a fee. We've got one apartment offered which was part of the social housing scheme and in the contact it was written how the rent will increase once the subsidized money stops. This would have been a very expensive flat at the end.
Anyhow, in case you're house-hunting at the moment, I wish you good luck and lots of patience!
The good news is, YEAH we got one apartment. We had to slightly higher our budget and make a few compromises. However it's a very nice apartment and I am very happy that the hunt is over.
The weird thing while house-hunting was that the landlords are looking for people with a steady job, good income but you should have time to view the house in the middle of the day in short notice. Maybe once in a while it's even possible to drop everything and come running to the viewing but then as it takes time I cannot do it all the time. The last few years the housing situation in Berlin has worsened. Nowadays is is very hard to find an affordable apartment which is not in the suburbs.
The sites I mostly checked were.
immobilienscout24
immonet
You can register and do a search request with your criteria.
Then it's good to call the next day. Often the apartment was gone so quickly.
Of course once you got a contract you should read it carefully. You can also get it check at the Mieterschutzbund. If your'e not a member you will have to pay a fee. We've got one apartment offered which was part of the social housing scheme and in the contact it was written how the rent will increase once the subsidized money stops. This would have been a very expensive flat at the end.
Anyhow, in case you're house-hunting at the moment, I wish you good luck and lots of patience!
