FAQ and download center

We have compiled the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) and grouped them by topic. Here you will find answers on the topics of reservation and moving in, rent and living as well as termination and moving out.

In the download center you will find all the forms and applications you need for a tenancy. From registering as a new tenant to damage reports or repair orders to extending or terminating your lease. The energy performance certificates for the individual buildings can also be downloaded here.

FAQ

We answer many questions, that have reached us by e-mail so far. Please make our work easier and read our FAQs first, before writing to us.

FAQ´s – Reservation and moving in

1. How can I apply for renting an apartment/room?

Go on the homepage via the navigation to “Reservation request” and fill out the form step by step. Via the button “send” in step 4 of the reservation request your reservation will be sent to us. You can make your reservation only here.

Reservations are possible on the 01st and 16th of each month.

2. Which condition is tied to the rental of an apartment/room?

Our student residences are available as accommodation for students, trainees and interns. For the contract documents, we therefore require a corresponding certificate from the educational institution (certificate of enrollment, certificate of training or internship).

In addition, we also rent some apartments to young professionals.

You can find more detailed information in our occupancy policy.

3. Is there a minimum stay?

The minimum rental period is generally 7 months. A shorter rental period is possible in exceptional cases, but not in the Ernst-Reuter-Haus.

4. How are the rooms equipped?

All our apartments have their own bathroom and mini kitchen. Residents of single rooms have a shared kitchen, shower and toilet. You can find more detailed information on the subpages of our houses.

5. How is the rent determined and what services are included?

The monthly rent depends on the size, location and equipment of the apartment/room.

The following services are included in the rent:

Electricity, heating, water and change of bed linen on a monthly basis.
Except broadcasting fee, which has to be paid separately >>>Info<<<

6. Do I make a deposit and how much is it?

Yes, the deposit is 2 months rent.

7. When is the deposit and the first month’s rent due?

If the reservation is accepted by us, you will receive an email with a link to pay the deposit and the first rent.

The following payment methods are available for the transfer:

Visa/Mastercard
Paypal
Direct bank transfer (only valid in connection with a domestic bank account)

FAQ´s – Rental period

8. Registration and unsubscribing – important note for the Berlin Notification Act!

Every resident of a city or municipality is required by law to register with and deregister from the relevant Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) – in Berlin these are the Citizens’ Registration Offices (Bürgerämter). Please register at the Bürgeramt within 14 days after moving in. If you do not move into a new apartment within Germany after moving out, you are obliged to deregister at the Bürgeramt within 2 weeks after moving out.

For this purpose, you will receive a certificate from us when you sign the rental contract or when you move out for submission to the Bürgeramt.

9. Where can I do my laundry?

A laundry center with modern washing machines and dryers is located in each of our residence halls.

10. Which services are included in the rental price and which are not?

Our apartments and rooms are fully furnished and include the following features:

Apartments have a small kitchenette and a private bathroom,
when renting a room, you share the kitchen and bathroom with others,
all Home in Berlin houses have a laundry center and a bicycle storage area,
bed linen is provided and changed monthly,
you can either bring your own kitchen equipment or buy it from us (see kitchen starter package),
WLAN,
electricity and heating costs,
community events.

The rental price is “all inclusive”, there are no additional costs.

The following are not provided

Towels,
cleaning equipment (can be borrowed for a small fee),
cleaning service (available on request for a fee. Please contact the Wedding or Lichtenberg teams).

11. What other services can I use during my stay?

This depends on the house, you are living in. Detailed information you can find on the page “our houses”.

12. When and where does the change of bedding take place?

You can find information like this in the information box in the foyer of your dormitory.

13. Where can I get a kitchen starter package and how much does it cost?

For renters who do not have the ability to bring dishes, we offer a kitchen starter pack for purchase. The kitchen packages are sold in the following properties: Brunnenstraße, Keithstraße, Ernst-Reuter-Haus, Walter-May-Haus and Hanielweg.

The kitchen package includes:
Cutlery set of 2 each (knife, fork, tablespoon, teaspoon), kitchen knife set, crockery set (dinner and breakfast plates), glasses set, bowl set, small and large cutting board, coffee mug set, pot set, frying pan, spatula set, box with lid, hygiene starter set.

for 65,60 €

You can order the kitchen starter set directly at the service points. The purchase is made on account.

14. Are there parking lots?

With the exception of the student dormitories in Keithstraße and Alfred-Jung-Straße, all other dormitories have car parking spaces. Availability must be clarified on site if required.

Residents of the student dormitory Keithstraße can rent a parking space in the neighboring parking garage if urgently needed. If you are interested, we will provide you with the necessary information.

15. How and on what account can I pay my rent?

You have the possibility to transfer the rent, to set up a standing order or to have the rent debited from your account by direct debit.
Please indicate Studio or room number + tenant number for the purpose of payment.

Account details for the student residences Ernst-Reuter-Haus, Walter-May-Haus, Paul-Hertz-Haus and Keithstraße
Bürgermeister-Reuter-Stiftung
IBAN: DE72 3702 0500 0003 1232 06
BIC: BFSWDE33BER
Bank für Sozialwirtschaft AG

Account details for the student dormitories Alfred-Jung-Straße 12 and 14, Brunnenstraße and Hanielweg
Bürgermeister-Reuter-Stiftung
IBAN: DE50 3702 0500 0003 1232 14
BIC: BFSWDE33BER
Bank für Sozialwirtschaft AG

16. When should the rent be paid?

The rent payment must be received on our account no later than the 03rd working day of the month.

17. Who do I turn to if I have received a reminder of payment?

Finance and Accounting: debitoren@brst.de

18. I have a problem with my internet connection, who can I turn to?

From time to time, problems with a slow Internet connection occur. The cause of this problem is often the simultaneous use of the WLAN by several tenants. This is mostly the case in the evenings and on weekends.

For other Internet problems, check the FAQs at http://home-in-berlin.de/faq/.

There you will find solutions to the most common problems that can occur when using a Public Spot. If the problems persist, please fill out the checklist in the FAQs and the WLAN questionnaire and contact the service points.

Your request will then be forwarded to IT.

19. Do I pay broadcasting fees (GEZ) as a tenant?

Whether you live in your own apartment, in a shared apartment or in a student dormitory – you only have to pay one broadcasting fee per apartment or dormitory room.

For more information click here>>>

20. Who do I turn to if I have a problem with my room/apartment?

If there are any problems in your apartment/room, such as a broken refrigerator, a clogged toilet, power outage, etc., please contact the service points.

21. What can I do if I am not pleased with the behavior of my neighbor?

Please inform us about your complaint via email. State the reason for the complaint, when it happened, apartment number and if applicable the name of the neighbor. And please do not forget your contact details.

In case of noise nuisance, please keep a noise log for 3-4 days indicating the type and time of the noise nuisance.

FAQ´s – Cancellation and moving out

22. Until what date may I cancel my reservation?

You can cancel your reservation free of charge until the first day of your contract.

If you have already paid the deposit and the first rent, we will transfer this back to you after notification of the recipient account. If transaction fees are due for the return transfer, you have to bear them as a tenant.

23. Which deadline do I have to keep in mind for the termination of my rental contract?

Lease agreements in which no fixed end of the lease has been agreed can usually be terminated after 6 months with a notice period of 6 weeks to the 15th or to the end of a month.

24. How can I terminate my agreement?

The cancellation must be made in writing. You can obtain a form prepared by us for this purpose from the customer service at our service points in Ernst-Reuter-Haus or Alfred-Jung-Straße 14 and at the end of this page under Download Center.

25. What do I need to do when my move out date is coming up?

You will receive an appointment from the service points for the preliminary acceptance. If you are unable to keep the appointment, please contact us immediately to arrange a new appointment.

26. What do I have to keep in mind when I move out?

The apartment/room must be cleaned before returning it. The garbage must be disposed of properly.

27. When will the deposit be returned?

The deposit will be refunded at the earliest 3 months after the end of the lease. If you close your account in Germany, you must tell us your foreign account to which we should transfer the deposit.