Moving in
Tenancy agreement
A tenancy agreement is a written contract between a landlord and a tenant that sets out the terms for renting a property. The tenancy agreement normally contains information about the rent, the duration of the tenancy, the payment terms, the deposit, the responsibilities of the landlord and the tenant, and other specific conditions.
The duration of the tenancy is normally set out in the tenancy agreement. There are different types of tenancy agreement, including fixed-term and open-ended contracts. A fixed-term tenancy ends on a specified date, whereas an open-ended tenancy continues without an end date unless it is terminated by one of the parties.
The rent is normally set out in the rental agreement and may be made up of various components, including rent, service charges and a deposit. Rent is normally paid monthly. Service charges may include heating, water, electricity and other fees necessary for the operation of the building. The deposit is a security payment that the tenant pays to the landlord and that normally equals one to three months’ rent. The deposit is refunded at the end of the tenancy provided there is no damage to the property or unpaid rent.
The tenancy agreement may also contain specific responsibilities of the landlord and the tenant, such as who is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the property. The tenant is normally responsible for the upkeep of the property, while the landlord is responsible for major repairs and the maintenance of communal facilities.
It is important to read and understand the tenancy agreement carefully before you sign it, as it constitutes a binding legal agreement.
Important steps when moving in
When moving into your new home there are various registrations and formalities that need to be completed:
- Registration at the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office): anyone living in Germany must register at the Einwohnermeldeamt within 14 days of moving in. A Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) is issued, which is needed for various purposes.
- Registration with the utility companies: it is important to register with the utility companies for electricity, water and gas so that consumption costs can be calculated correctly. Your landlord or the property management company will tell you which utility companies are relevant for you.
- Registration with the GEZ: the GEZ (Gebühreneinzugszentrale, broadcasting fee collection centre) is responsible for collecting broadcasting fees. Anyone who occupies a flat or house in Germany must register with the GEZ and pay broadcasting fees.
- Registration with a telephone and internet provider: if you wish to use telephone and internet services, you must register with a provider. There are various providers to choose from, and you should find out about the different options and tariffs.
- Labelling the letterbox: it is important to put the tenant’s name on the letterbox to ensure that post and parcels can be delivered correctly. (This is usually taken care of directly by the landlord or the property management company.)
- Registration with the health insurance fund: anyone living in Germany must be registered with a health insurance fund. When you move into a new flat, you should make sure that the health insurance fund is informed of the new address.
- Registration at school or university: if you move into a new flat with your family and have children of school age, you must register the children at the local school. If you are studying at a university, you must also register at the university. You will find all the information on this here.
- Notification of the bank: if you have a new address, you must inform the bank so that important documents such as account statements and credit cards can be delivered correctly.
- Notification of the Finanzamt (tax office): if you live in Germany you must file a tax return. It is important that the Finanzamt is informed of the new address to ensure that important documents can be delivered correctly.
It is important to attend to these formalities early in order to avoid problems and inconvenience.