Housing in Erfurt

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

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

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.

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