Finding Housing Online — Best Portals and Tips

Most Important Portals

General rules for searching and compiling documents are described in a separate article apartment search step by step.

Beware of Scams (Vorkasse)

The most common scam is Vorkasse — demanding prepayment before viewing. Never pay for keys or "reservation" upfront. Typical scheme: the alleged owner "is abroad" and wants to send the key by mail after the transfer — after payment, they disappear. Warning signs:
- time pressure and prepayment,
- offer well below market rate,
- photos from a catalog (check with image search),
- request for SCHUFA, pay stubs or copy of ID before viewings.

Documents — but at the Right Time

Landlords normally ask for Mieterselbstauskunft (questionnaire), SCHUFA certificate on payment ability and pay stubs — but only during or after viewings, not before. After finding an apartment, you sign the contract (Mietvertrag) and pay the deposit, and after moving in you do the registration — this takes care of formalities.