Housing in Berlin
Where people really find flats in Berlin, how to avoid scams, and listings shared by members.
We do not list scraped ads
The big portals do not allow their listings to be copied, so we don't. Instead you get the places to search, practical guides for applying, and a small number of offers shared by members and reviewed by our moderators.
Where to search
Official, state-owned and well-known places to look. Listed neutrally, without ranking or paid placement.
Links checked on 5 October 2026
State-owned housing companies
- State-ownedinberlinwohnen.de
Joint flat finder of Berlin's seven state-owned housing companies. No agent's fee; you can filter by whether a WBS is required, then apply on the company's own website.
- State-owneddegewo
State-owned housing company with flats across Berlin. Its site also offers a WBS check for orientation.
- State-ownedGESOBAU
State-owned housing company; current vacancies and application process on its website.
- State-ownedGewobag
State-owned housing company; vacancies, application and a WBS check on its website.
- State-ownedHOWOGE
State-owned housing company; current vacancies and application process on its website.
- State-ownedSTADT UND LAND
State-owned housing company; current vacancies and application process on its website.
- State-ownedWBM
State-owned housing company; current vacancies and application process on its website.
Property portals
- PortalImmoScout24
Large commercial property portal with rental listings from private landlords, companies and agents. Save searches and turn on alerts.
- PortalImmowelt
Commercial property portal with rental listings from private landlords and agents.
- PortalKleinanzeigen
Classifieds site with flats, rooms and sublets. Read the rental-scams guide first: fake ads are common on open classifieds.
- PortalWG-Gesucht
Portal focused on rooms in shared flats (WG) and temporary sublets.
Social housing and cooperatives
- OfficialService-Portal Berlin: Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS)
Official service page for applying for a housing eligibility certificate (WBS): requirements, documents and the online application.
- OfficialSenatsverwaltung: Wohnberechtigungsschein
The Senate's explanation of WBS levels and income limits in Berlin.
- Non-profitWohnungsbaugenossenschaften Berlin
Joint website of Berlin housing cooperatives. Members buy cooperative shares; each cooperative sets its own admission rules.
Furnished and temporary
- State-ownedberlinovo
State-owned company that also rents furnished apartments for a limited period, e.g. for people relocating for work.
- OfficialSenatsverwaltung: Zweckentfremdungsverbot (FAQ)
Official FAQ on Berlin rules for holiday flats — useful to judge whether a short-term offer is legal.
Students
- OfficialstudierendenWERK BERLIN – Wohnen
Student halls of residence run by the public student services organisation; apply early, waiting times are common.
Tenant advice and rent checks
- OfficialMieterberatungen in den Bezirken
Free tenant advice offered by the Berlin districts — addresses and opening hours.
- OfficialBerliner Mietspiegel – Abfrage
Official rent index query: check the local comparative rent for a flat before you sign.
- OfficialSIWO Mietpreisprüfstelle
Public rent check service: free assessment of whether a rent complies with the rent cap (Mietpreisbremse).
- Non-profitFair mieten – Fair wohnen
Berlin's specialist advice centre on discrimination in the housing market.
- Non-profitBerliner Mieterverein
Tenant association offering legal advice to members for an annual fee, plus free fact sheets on tenancy law.
Know the terms, prepare your documents and recognise scams before you apply.
Housing Local guide Finding a flat in Berlin An active search over several weeks or months is normal. Once your document folder is ready, each individual application is quick to send. Housing About 10 minutes to read; a few minutes of checks for each promising listing Housing About 15 minutes to read; keep it open while you compare listings or check a contract Housing One to three hours to collect, redact and combine your documents once; then minutes per application Housing Local guide Tenant rights in Berlin: rent cap, rent increases, repairs and notice About 20 minutes to read. A free rent check or advice appointment usually requires booking ahead. Housing Local guide Temporary accommodation in Berlin: furnished rentals, sublets and registration Start looking one to three months before you arrive Housing Local guide Getting a housing eligibility certificate (WBS) for social housing in Berlin 1–2 hours to collect documents and fill in the forms; processing time varies by district Registration A few minutes for the person signing it; ask for it when you get the keys
Shared by members and reviewed by moderators before they appear. We do not inspect the flats.
No community listings in Berlin right now
Listings appear here after a moderator has checked them. If you are letting or subletting a place, share it with other newcomers.
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