Housing in Erfurt

Whether you prefer to live alone or in a community during your studies and whether you want to look for your own flat or just a room for this purpose is, of course, entirely up to you. But even at the university location Erfurt, you are rather spoilt for choice with a student residence and your own flat or shared flat in old and new buildings.

But no matter what you decide, the first step is always to look for a flat. There are a number of things to bear in mind when you are looking for a flat, and also when you move to your new city. On the following pages you will find tips and links on finding accommodation and housing costs in Erfurt, as well as on moving to your study city Erfurt.

A place in a student residence, a room in a shared flat or your own flat?

Student residence

The classic among the student housing options is usually run by the Student Services Organisation (Studierendenwerk). The rooms are often partially furnished, but vary from residence to residence. You can find out from the Studierendenwerk Thüringen whether you have to share a shower, toilet and kitchen with several people.

Housing estates in Erfurt

Shared flat (WG)

A typical student flat-share is a so-called WG, which can range from a purely functional community to a family-like living community. There are all kinds, from the small two-person flat-share to the large community.

Your own flat

The most expensive option is usually your own flat. Another option is a room for subletting.

 

Flat hunting

How do I apply for a place in a student residence?

Application for a place in a student residence

The Student Services Organisation (Studierendenwerk) is responsible for finding a place in a student residence. You can apply for a place even before you have been accepted by the university. The allocation of free places in the student residences is carried out according to the chronological order of the applications received.

  • Start of application for the winter semester: 1 April
  • Start of application for summer semester: 1 October

Online application for a place in a student residence

Where can I find housing offers for a shared flat or my own flat?

The best way to look for rooms in shared flats, as well as other housing offers, is through city magazines, daily newspapers and notices at universities. It is usually also advantageous to place your own advertisements and post notices on notice boards.

 

Online portals for student shared flats (selection)

www.wg-gesucht.de

www.studenten-wohnung.de

Housing Cooperatives & Societies

Overview of the Erfurt housing cooperatives

Starting your studies and still haven't found a place to live?

Offers for bridging

In addition, there is the possibility of staying in the city's hostels and youth hostels as well as holiday flats for a short time, e.g. while looking for accommodation:

DJH Jugendherberge Hochheimer Straße Erfurt (Youth hostel)

Guest house Alte Parteischule am Südpark

Plattform hometogo for holiday flats

bestfewo.de (Germany's holiday flats)

re4 Hostel Erfurt

Opera Hostel Erfurt

Studierende an der Krämerbrücke
Studierende vor der Willy Brandt School Erfurt

Housing costs

What costs should I expect?

Rent costs

Information on the amount of the monthly rent is usually shown without ancillary costs. The amount of the ancillary costs and what additional costs may be incurred for heating, gas, water, etc. should therefore be checked carefully. In addition, electricity and possibly cable fees must normally be paid. The cable fee does not cover the fee for the broadcasting contribution. An overview of the rent index usually provides a first, helpful orientation.

Rent index of the city of Erfurt

Students in Saxony have the lowest rental expenses with an average of 264 €, the highest expenses in Cologne with an average of 375 € per month. The average expenditure for student housing is therefore €323, in Erfurt €272 per month.

The amount of money spent on rent also depends on the type of housing you choose: whether you live at home with your parents, in a student residence, in a shared flat (WG), sublet or in your own flat (with or without a partner) - the options are many and varied.

more information on student finance

What other costs are incurred?

Re-registration/second residence tax

Anyone moving to a new city to study must register their main or secondary residence with the municipal residents' registration office. As a general rule, the main residence is the most frequently used place of residence. A secondary residence may be subject to a secondary residence tax. In Erfurt, 16% of the annual cold rent is levied.

Register your main residence in Erfurt

Provision

The commission, also called brokerage fee, is a brokerage fee that the broker receives for mediating between the tenant and the landlord. The broker's fee is usually two months' rent plus 19% VAT (2.38 months' rent). The brokerage principle applies: "He who orders, pays". The principle is anchored in the Housing Mediation Act. Landlords therefore predominantly pay the brokerage fee. Direct letting by the landlord, housing associations or mediation via the previous tenant is usually commission-free.

 

Deposit

The deposit is a security payment from the tenant to the landlord and may not exceed three months' rent. The amount, due date, interest and investment are regulated by law (BGB § 551). The security deposit must be invested by the landlord or tenant as a savings book or rental deposit account.

 

Liability insurance

Unmarried students under the age of 25 who are in initial education and are still part of their parents' household are covered by their parents' liability insurance. So anyone who moves into their own flat and changes their main place of residence needs their own liability insurance.

Household insurance

Household insurance is not always necessary, but it does make sense. It pays out for damage caused by water, fire or lightning, for example. In a student flat, however, it is only worthwhile if the furnishings are valuable. Depending on the provider, the bicycle can also be insured under this policy.

 

Broadcasting fee

Every household pays a licence fee of €17.50 per month to finance public broadcasting, i.e. €210 per year.

Broadcasting fee

Tips for students

Tips for the move

Many companies offer students cheap rental cars for the move.

To secure a well-located parking space for cars or vans, this can be reserved at the police station for a fee. It is not unusual, but less official, to reserve a parking space the day before.

Tips for furnishing

It is not always necessary to furnish an entire flat. For example, in many cities it is now common to rent out flats with fitted kitchens.

A good alternative to the usual furniture stores are notice boards in universities, for example in the "Stöberhaus" (second hand) or at flea markets in and around Erfurt.

Puzzlekiste

The University of Erfurt's "Puzzlekiste", a sustainable swap meet for household items, is moving and will open its doors in the basement of teaching building 2, room 3b, in the summer semester of 2020. The offer is aimed at students who come to study in Erfurt from abroad and are in need of household items such as pots, crockery, cutlery, etc.

Those interested can contact the International Office by email and make an appointment: international.puzzlekiste@uni-erfurt.de

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