| Universität Bielefeld > International > Information for internationally mobile scientists and their families > First Steps in Bielefeld |
If you prefer to look for a permanent accommodation after your arrival to Bielefeld, there are various ways of looking once you get here.
Please bear in mind, that it is generally more difficult to find an furnished apartment than an unfurnished one, since in Germany apartments are generally rented out unfurnished. Even one-person studio apartment are normally unfurnished, except when the actual tenant is "subletting" for a limited time period. However, there are several private providers or real estate agencies that offer short-term rentals of fully equipped private rooms or flats. However, you will have to pay the agent an service fee which can be the equivalent of 2 months rent for this service.
You can also look for accommodation on the Internet under, for example:
FLATmix Bielefeld
(Kreuzstr. 1, 33602 Bielefeld, telephone: +49 (0)521-52 333 333 Fax: +49 (0)521-52 176 95)
And, of course, you can also place your own advertisement on these sites.
An inspection of the so-called Mietspiegel (residential rental index) will help you to find out how much rent you will probably need to pay depending on the part of city, the facilities, and the age of the house. You can obtain the Mietspiegel for Bielefeld in the Residents' Advice Center (Bürgerberatung) located in the Neue Rathaus or you can download it from the Internet.
Landlords frequently ask for a deposit (Kaution) varying from one to a maximum of 6 months' basic rent (the so-called "Kaltmiete" without extra charges for utilities and services). This is to cover any potential damage you may cause to the property. However, the landlord has to pay this back with interest at the end of the rental agreement after deducting any costs for repairs and renovation. This should all be specified very clearly in your lease or rental contract (Mietvertrag).
Most advertisements give only the rent excluding utility charges (Kaltmiete). When looking at the apartment, always ask about the utility charges (the Nebenkosten). Tenants pay their electricity and gas bills directly to the public utility company (Stadtwerke). Every apartment should have its own electricity and/or gas meters.
You can find detailed information on how to look for accommodation and what you need to pay attention to when signing a lease (Mietvertrag) on the Internet pages of the Humboldt Foundation. If you are having difficulties with your landlord, you can obtain advice and support - for a fee - and information pamphlets on renting, rental contracts, and so forth from the following addresses:
Mieterbund Ostwestfalen-Lippe e.V.
Marktstraße 5
33602 Bielefeld
Telephone: 0521 - 56055 - 0
Fax: 0521 - 56055 - 11
E-Mail: verein@mieterbund-owl.de
Verbraucherzentrale NRW
Beratungsstelle Bielefeld
Herforder Straße 33 (am Willy-Brandt-Platz)
33602 Bielefeld
Telephone: 0521 - 66936
Fax: 0521 - 60266
E-Mail: bielefeld@vz-nrw.de
| Abbreviation | What it Means |
|---|---|
| 2-Zi-Whg | 2 Zimmerwohnung = 2-room apartment |
| 3 ZKB | 3 Zimmer mit Küche und Bad = 3 rooms plus kitchen and bathroom |
| 450 Euro + NK | 450 Euro Kaltmiete + Nebenkosten = 450 Euro basic rent plus utility charges |
| DG, EG, OG | Dachgeschoss, Erdgeschoss, Obergeschoss = top floor (attic), ground floor, upper floor |
| Du | Dusche = shower |
| kalt, KM | Kaltmiete = basic rent (without utility charges) |
| KB | Küche, Bad = kitchen, bathroom |
| MM | Monatsmiete = monthly rent |
| RH | Reihenhaus = terraced house |
| TG | Tiefgarage = underground garage |
| warm, WM | Warmmiete = complete rent including all utility charges |
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