Renting In Frankfurt

HI,

Will be moving to Germany for Jan 2008, and will need to find an apt.

Does anyone know what is reasonable for a 1 or 2 bedroom apt?
Do they have problems with having a dog?
What kind of other considerations are there, that would be new to a Canadian?
I heard that they require bigger deposits?

Are most of them furnished or bring your own furniture?

Just curious, but what is the average wage per month in Germany. (wondering how well I did in my negotiations!)


Thanks!

J & M

Hey J&M,

I've given some short answers to your questions based on my experience over the last few years in and out of Germany.

Does anyone know what is reasonable for a 1 or 2 bedroom apt?

I don't know exactly for Frankfurt, but for Cologne where my girlfriend (also Canadian) and I are living, it really depends on size, location and quality. I found it much more difficult to get a 2 bedroom place in the city. A large 1 bedroom was cheaper than a small 2 bedroom. Prices fall into the range of larger Canadian cities. After 15 viewings we got the place we both wanted and I wish I got 3 years ago when I first came here.

Do they have problems with having a dog?

Legally they can't stop you, but we had problems bringing our cats over from Ireland (short stop from Canada). The newer the place and the larger the dog, the more problems you will have.

What kind of other considerations are there, that would be new to a Canadian?

Don't try and get a place quickly, we lost a lot of places simply because we needed one soon. They like to keep it slow and have all the I's dotted and T's crossed.

I heard that they require bigger deposits?

Yes very much so, 2-3 months cold rent (rent without the house extras such as garbage collection, central heating, cable, etc). As non-German speakers we dealt with agents, with we paid 2.38 cold rents (the legal max commission) just to see the place and arrange with the landlord to sign the lease. Plus, there's no concept of having the deposit used as your last month's rent. Expect your deposit up to a year after you move out. The landlords need to wait for the annual audit of extra costs (the difference between cold and warm rent) to see if that extra was really enough.

Are most of them furnished or bring your own furniture?

You bring everything and I mean everything. A normal apartment has no kitchen or light fixtures. However depending on who is moving out, you will have the opportunity to buy a lot of this from the former tenant. Stay away from furnished places. They don't have the standards of what you would expect in a large city in Canada.

Just curious, but what is the average wage per month in Germany. (wondering how well I did in my negotiations!)

It's close to CAD 45K. However Germany can be quite affordable once you get the ins and outs of where to shop and buy food.

If you have any others, let me know and I'll be glad to help.

A&R.

i went through a couple of flats in koeln, and a couple here in fulda. a&r is correct, most of the flats have absolutely nothing (kitchen, or even light fixtures) but that doesn't mean they dont exist. my new place has a fitted kitchen included, but no light fixtures. the most important part is that it came provisionfrei (no commission, at least not up front-is prolly taken care of within the rent payment).
he is also correct, germany can be quite affordable. i was back in ottawa over the xmas break, and actually found it to be more expensive than germany.
you can check out some sites for apt. rentals (google frankfurt apt. rentals) most will involve commission.
i've heard that (although i have not done myself) you will find success in advertising in a paper that you are looking for a rental, let them come to you and perhaps more important (at least to me) NO COMMISSION (i hate the very idea.in case you didnt pick up on that)