Wohnen

Living

Renting & Living

It is not easy to find a suitable and affordable place to live.

Here are a few ways you can find somewhere to live:

  • Place a classified ad in the local newspapers:
  • Municipal Gazette of your place of residence
  • Apartment-finding websites on the Internet
  • Place an ad in the newspaper or the Municipal Gazette
  • Use the services of an estate agent (commission costs apply)
  • Enquire in your community about housing cooperatives

 

Registration / Re-registration / De-registration

Please also note that you must register at your local town hall when you move into a flat/apartment or room. You must register in person and present your ID or passport.

>> See Arrival

 

Abbreviations

When you read an advertisement for a flat/apartment, you will find lots of abbreviations. Here are some of the most important ones:

AB Old building Mtl. Monthly
Abl. transfer amount* NB New building
B Bathroom NK Service charges
Bj. Construction year NR Non-smoker
BK Operating costs OG Upper floor
D Shower RH Terraced house
DB oder D’bad Shower room RMH mid-terrace house
DG Attic REH Terraced end house
DHH Semi-detached house SZ Bedroom
EBK Fitted kitchen Tel. Telephone
EFH Detached/single family house WBS Certificate of eligibility for public housing
EG Ground floor WE Residential unit
ELW Granny annexe Wfl. Living space
FBH Underfloor heating WG Shared apartment
HK Heating costs Whg Flat/apartment
HWR Utility room WM Rent including additional costs
KM Basic rent** ZH Central heating
KoNi Kitchenette Zi. Room(s)
KT Deposit ZKB Living room(s)/kitchen/bathroom
m.F. with window ZKD Living room(s)/kitchen/shower room
MFH Apartment house zzgl. plus
MM Monthly rent
* Money paid by incoming tenant to buy furniture/fittings from outgoing tenant
** Basic rent without additional costs

 

Waste and waste separation

As the waste is collected from in front of your house at regular intervals, every household must order a dustbin and pay a waste disposal fee. You can find out how and where to order your bin and when the collection dates are scheduled on the Waste Management website: www.abfall-landkreis-waldshut.de.

Since the waste has to be separated, there are different waste containers:

  • Residual waste: grey dustbin
  • Organic waste: brown dustbin
  • Plastic packaging material: yellow bag
  • Waste paper and cardboard: blue dustbin

On the website, you will also find detailed instructions on what is and what is not allowed in the respective container.

 

Broadcast Licence Fee

In Germany, every household is obliged to pay a contribution of €17.50 per month for public broadcasting (television and radio). It does not matter how many people live in the household. Citizens can be exempted from the obligation to pay contributions for social or health reasons.
Please click here to access forms and further information.

 

Housing benefit

Under certain circumstances, you can apply for housing benefit to help with your rental costs.

Important: As a rule, housing benefit is not paid to anyone who receives:

  • unemployment benefit II and income support according to Book II of the Social Security Code (SGB II),
  • welfare benefit or
  • basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity according to Book XII of the Social Security Code (SGB XII).
  • Similarly, housing benefit is not paid to those who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG) if the costs of accommodation have already been taken into account in the calculation of this benefit.

Housing benefit office – Waldshut District Administration

In our online citizen portal you will find all relevant information about our digital offer.

Applications for housing benefit can be obtained at the town hall of your place of residence or at the District Administration in the Office for Social Assistance, Assistance for the Disabled and the Elderly.