Looking for your first place in Aachen, whether as a student or as an expat, can be exciting but confusing. The local housing market has rules and customs that may be new to you, especially if you are from another country. This guide helps you learn what to know before starting your home search in Aachen. It will make you feel prepared and confident, and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Before signing any lease, make sure the apartment allows Anmeldung, official address registration. In Germany, you typically must register your address with the city within a couple of weeks of moving in. Without Anmeldung:
Always confirm with the landlord or property manager that registration is possible at the address.
Landlords usually request a deposit equal to three months’ cold rent (Kaltmiete). You can pay it in up to three installments, but you typically need to make the first payment before moving in. You’ll get the deposit back, minus legitimate damage costs, once your lease ends.
Typical items included in Nebenkosten:
🔁 Nebenkosten are estimates. At the end of the year, your landlord may send a settlement and adjust your utility costs based on actual usage.
In many Aachen apartments:
Before moving in, you should check:
Many long‑term flats in Aachen do not include a kitchen, this is standard. Some apartments include an Einbauküche (built‑in kitchen), which will be stated in the listing. When searching, always filter for “with kitchen” if you need one.
Installing a new kitchen (with cabinets, sink, stove) can take around 2 months on average, so factor that timeline into your move‑in plan if you require a kitchen from day one.
⚠️ Watch for “furniture sales” from previous tenants. Some try to sell their items at inflated prices as a condition of renting, this is sometimes a scam and should be handled carefully.
Always confirm before signing the lease.
Aachen uses the standard German method:
For example:
Germany labels floors differently than some countries:
In Germany, every building has a designated waste area or Müllplatz for disposing of trash. Waste sorting is taken seriously and typically includes:
Always follow sorting rules; improper disposal may result in fines.
Every building has its own house rules, usually included in your rental contract or posted in common areas. These can include:
Follow these rules closely, and landlords may enforce penalties for repeated violations.
Mold is common in many European climates, including Aachen. The best prevention is proper ventilation (Lüften):
Before signing, look for mold stains around windows and corners, addressing these early protects your health and security deposit.
Some big property managers you’ll commonly encounter:
These companies manage large portfolios. Listings may be in German, but many students and expats secure housing with them successfully; it just helps to be prepared with your paperwork and documents.
In Germany, monthly rent is usually paid by SEPA bank transfer:
You’ll need a German or EU SEPA‑capable bank account. Digital banks like C24 Bank, N26, or Wise are useful starters if you’re new to Germany.
Navigating the Aachen housing market can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. ABOUT Aachen offers a dedicated 🏡 Home Search Service designed to support renters every step of the way.
✅ We connect you to landlords and off‑market accommodations
✅ We help tenants secure housing quickly, even in competitive markets
✅ We provide support from search and viewings to lease signing
📩 Tell us what you need via our 🏡 Housing Request Form, whether you’re a student, individual renter, or relocating family, we can share available options that match your criteria.
Anmeldung
Must be permitted at your address
Deposit
Usually 3× cold rent, payable over three months
Rent Types
Kaltmiete vs Warmmiete + Nebenkosten
Utilities
Electricity & internet usually separate
Kitchens
Some flats have none; plan ahead
Rooms & Floors
German counting and floor system
Waste
Must sort trash properly
House Rules
Hierarchy of regulations for building
Mold
Ventilate regularly (Lüften)
Laundry
Shared or in‑unit varies
Payments
SEPA bank transfer required
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