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Private rooms

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If you don't want to stay in the student dorms or didn't get a place in them, you can also look for housing on your own outside the University.

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SHARED HOUSE

 

The next best suitable option is to rent a room in a shared apartment. This is also known as WG (Wohngemeinschaft in German or housing collective).

 

If you are an Erasmus student and will only be here for some months, you might consider renting a short term occupancy, which are called Zwischenmiete in German. In this type of arrangement, you agree to rent a room for a limited period in which the primary occupant is away. Usually much of the furniture remains in the room.

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In both cases, you must sign a contract (short-term or indefinite). In most cases you have to pay a deposit that sums up from one up to 2 months rent.

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Always ask the terms of the contract (in case it is in German and you are not fluent), be sure to ask all the questions you can think of, such as how long should you give the notice before leaving the apartment, exactly which costs are included in the price or if you have certain responsibilities in the building or the house.

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The german word for deposit is Kaution, so be sure to ask about how much money you need to pay and the procedure for refunding and consider in your budget the amount (it varies but sometimes it gets up to two months of rent). 

 

We would advise you to send the contract to a friend that speaks German (probably your Study Buddy, learn more about it  here) or take it to the International Center for help, always better safe than sorry.

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Here are several links to search for flats, most of them are German only, but don’t worry, you can still get a reply and it is not so difficult to subscribe:

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• WG-gesucht (english)

• Inmobilien

• Studenten-wg

• WG Spion Kiel

• Immonet

• Zwischenmiete

• Nestoria

• Immobilio

• WG-liste

• Wohnungsboerse

 

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In Kiel, there are not only dormitories of Studentenwerk, but also of other institutions (churches, etc.) and private ones. The Studentenwerk has prepared this useful brochure "Information about FINDING A ROOM" with other housing options. 

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Also, in the International Center and many other walls throughout the University (such as in Mensa 1 or 2, learn more about Mensa here), there are many printed offers for housing, so it could be worth to take a look at them.

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PRIVATE APARTMENT

 

Depending on your needs, as if you are planning to be in Kiel for a longer period or plan to relocate your family here, renting a flat/apartment might be right for you. They usually come unfurnished.

 

German leases (and many other types of contracts) must be cancelled three months before their term is up and as well as the WG, you will likely have to pay a deposit, often in the range of 2 months’ rent.

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Keep in mind that some real-estate agents charge an additional fee or commission, so ask all those questions beforehand.