Finding a Flat: Where to Search and How Not to Get Scammed

Where to really search: ImmoScout24, WG-Gesucht, Kleinanzeigen and directly with municipal housing companies. Plus cheaper housing via WBS and scam protection.

✓ Verified: 26/07/2026

WHAT TO DO

Set up your search on the portals: ImmoScout24 (the largest), WG-Gesucht (rooms and flatshares), Kleinanzeigen — with filters and a Suchagent (alert for new listings)

Contact municipal housing companies (Wohnungsgesellschaften) and co-operatives (Genossenschaften) directly: often below market, but with their own waiting lists — register early
Check your eligibility for the Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS): it unlocks subsidised flats 30–50 % below market. Free at the Wohnungsamt, and the income limit is higher than you think
React on the day a listing appears and keep your Bewerbungsmappe ready (next step) — good flats in big cities are gone within hours
NEVER pay a deposit or anything upfront before viewing in person and signing the contract — 'landlord abroad, wire the money for the keys' is the classic scam

Where to search

The largest database is ImmoScout24↗. For rooms and flatshares use WG-Gesucht↗, plus Kleinanzeigen and notice boards. Set filters and turn on the Suchagent (new-listing alerts): in tight markets, reaction speed decides.

Cheaper than the market

Do not stop at the portals: municipal housing companies and co-operatives (Genossenschaften) let their stock directly — often cheaper and with their own waiting lists, so register early. And on a moderate income, check your right to the WBS (Wohnberechtigungsschein): it opens subsidised flats 30–50 % below market, and the income limit is higher than you think.

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Route: the WBS housing permit →

Check eligibility, apply, and find WBS flats — in three steps.

Watch out: scams

The classic trick against newcomers: a low price, a “landlord abroad”, a request to send the deposit before viewing. No money before an in-person viewing and a signed contract. Once you have found the flat, move on to the documents (next step): good offers are gone the day they appear.

› Details and tips

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Max recommends:

My best weapon was the Suchagent: set filters on ImmoScout24 and WG-Gesucht, and new listings hit my inbox first. For good flats I replied within the hour — otherwise you are one of 50 in the queue.

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Lea recommends:

Do not pay a scammer: a real landlord never asks for money before a viewing and a contract. And check the WBS — many newcomers assume they 'earn too much', but the limit is high and it opens noticeably cheaper housing.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where do I search if the portals turn up nothing? ▾

Besides ImmoScout24 and WG-Gesucht: contact municipal housing companies and co-operatives directly — they have their own stock and waiting lists, often below market. Add Kleinanzeigen, notice boards at universities and supermarkets, and word of mouth. In tight markets, widen your search area and set up a Suchagent on every portal.

How do I spot a scam listing? ▾

Red flags: price well below market; a 'landlord abroad'; a request to wire the deposit or a 'key fee' BEFORE viewing (often via Western Union or crypto); no in-person viewing possible; template emails in broken German or English. Iron rule: no money before an in-person viewing and a signed contract.

What is the WBS and is the flat really cheaper? ▾

The Wohnberechtigungsschein certifies your right to a subsidised social flat 30–50 % below market. The income limit is higher than many assume (in Berlin nearly half of residents qualify). It is free at your local Wohnungsamt; with it you target listings marked 'WBS erforderlich'.

Is a premium portal subscription worth it? ▾

Usually not: the basic search and the free Suchagent are enough. A paid subscription sometimes gives priority in the applicant queue, but only really helps in the tightest markets. Try it free first and win on reaction speed.