Renting a house in Germany, from scratch?

[TroubledSoul]

Now that I'm working in Afghanistan and only return to the UK for a month every 3 months, I'm seriously considering renting a home in another country while I've got the opportunity. I've always enjoyed Germany and would relish an opportunity to live within a reasonable distance of the 'Ring so I figured why not do some digging?

Is it particularly difficult or is it pretty much the same as the UK, i.e. find a property website I can actually follow and then go through the usual checks and deposit system? Any tips or things to be aware of?

[RedWhiteMonkey]

You have to register with your local council if you live here and without that I doubt anyone would be too keen on renting to you.

Other than that the obvious questions are do you qualify for residency and can you speak German?

If you do manage to find anything you need to be aware that deposits are often three months rent and that unfurnished (including no kitchen) is the norm.

Edited by RedWhiteMonkey on Wednesday 13th March 11:25

[Lord Pikey]

www.immobilienscout24.de

[Nunga]

Use a relocation service, offer up your monthly income, and you’ll be fine. A relocation service might cost between one and two month’s rent, but it is the single-best thing you can do to get your foot in the door and most big towns will have them available. You will have some trouble just sending email applications through immoscout24, though I am reliably informed that if you pay for the premium service on immoscout24 your success rate to even gain a viewing appointment goes from low to nearly 100%. Again, that is money well spent.

Don’t be put off by the above comments about not speaking German or a right to be a resident; any EU citizen is allowed to live in Germany and need only register in the appropriate Landkreis (perhaps it will be more complicated post-Brexit, who knows what the exact finer points will be?)

Any more specific questions re: banking, city registration etc feel free to PM.