Property
Latest news, important information, and practical advice for you on the property market, renting a flat, tenant rights, buying a home, apartments, houses, and more from Germany.
The German words you need to know when buying property
Buying a property is always a major undertaking – and even more so when you’re attempting to do it in a foreign country. We look at the key phrases you need to know in Germany, and what you can expect.
How the war in Iran is affecting Germany's property market
Rising energy prices linked to the war in Iran are pushing up mortgage rates in Germany, making property purchases more expensive and increasing uncertainty for buyers, builders and the wider market.
How renting and buying property in Germany will cost you more in 2026
The cost of both renting and buying property in Germany is expected to become more expensive in 2026. But experts say the country is unlikely to see a return to the dramatic price surges of the 2010s.
What costs do homeowners in Germany pay themselves - and which are shared?
The rules around owning a flat in Germany can be confusing, with homeowners often unsure what maintenance costs they should pay and which are shared by the building. A top court has sought to answer the most controversial questions.
Why you should trim your hedge in Germany this February
Working in the garden may not seem that appealing in the rain or sleet, but German law insists that people cut their hedges at specific times of year. Here's what you need to know.
How much can you sublet your apartment for in Germany?
Germany's highest court ruled against a tenant who sublet his Berlin apartment for twice as much rent as he owed. If you plan to sublet your own home, or part of it, there are a few rules you should be aware of.
What changes for renters and homeowners in Germany in 2026
When it comes to bricks and mortar, 2026 is set to being a fresh wave of rules, costs and opportunities for residents in Germany. Here are the changes that renters and landlords alike will want to know.
REVEALED: Germany’s least affordable cities for property buyers
Munich continues to top the list of Germany’s most unaffordable cities for property buyers. But among the country’s seven biggest cities, which are the most affordable for those hoping to get a foot on the property ladder?
Who is responsible for clearing snow and spreading grit in Germany?
With the German Weather Service (DWD) predicting that wintry conditions could persist for several days, particularly in northern parts of the country, it’s important to understand your responsibilities regarding snow clearing and gritting.
Germany's highest fiscal court confirms new property tax rules
A major property tax reform brought at the beginning of this year raised the amount owed by many landlords in Germany. Now the Federal Fiscal Court has rejected challenges against the rule change, meaning that property owners are still on the hook.
How much do you need to earn to rent an apartment in Germany?
With rents on the rise in Germany, what do prospective tenants need to earn in order to live comfortably? Here's where rents are still affordable on an average income – and at where renters are increasingly overburdened.
10 ways you will accidentally annoy your German neighbours
Getting along with your neighbours is essential if you want an easy life - but there are a few unwritten rules in Germany that you may not even know you're breaking.
The words German estate agents use when they want to rip you off
'Lichtdurchflutet' (bathed in light) and 'Gemütlich' (cosy) might sound appealing, but in Germany’s property market, these poetic descriptions can often mean something else entirely.
Düsseldorf and Leipzig: The surprising German cities where rents are rising fastest
Rents in Germany’s biggest cities are soaring, except in Berlin, where prices have unexpectedly dipped. Which cities are seeing the fastest increases, and what does it mean for renters and buyers.
How much do you need to earn to buy a home in Germany in autumn 2025?
Real estate prices are on the rise again, but some financial experts suggest that now is a good time to buy a home in Germany. So how much do you need to earn to purchase a house or apartment here?
Is renting a flat 'without Anmeldung' illegal in Germany?
In today's tough housing environment, it's growing more and more common to see flats rented out without the right to register - or 'anmelden'. The Local looks at whether this is legal under German tenancy law.
What Germany's tax authorities need to know if you rent out your home
Whether you plan to let your whole home or just a single room, make sure you’re aware of the rules around declaring the income to the German tax man.
Q&A: What are the rules for subletting your apartment in Germany
If you’re going away for a period of time or want to cut your living costs, subletting your flat can seem like an appealing option. But there are a lot of things you need to consider first. We break them down.
Can a flat swap help me find a new apartment in Germany?
Renters in Germany are increasingly turning to flat swaps to find a new home in a tight housing market - but the legal situation can be complicated. Here's what to know if you're considering exchanging your apartment for a new one.
Will the newly approved 'Bau-Turbo' help solve Germany's housing crisis?
Germany approved amendments to construction law on Friday, designed to increase the supply of flats and houses in the country's cities. The emphasis is on speed and taking a creative approach to how existing buildings can be repurposed.
Four scams to be aware of while navigating Germany’s rental market
Especially in Germany's tight rental markets, apartment hunters need to be cautious every step of the way. From bribes disguised as brokerage fees to fraudulent tenants' associations, here are four scams to be aware of.
Where house prices are rising the most in Germany this year
After a period of decline, the cost of buying a home is rising again across Germany. Here's where real estate values and newly built apartment prices have gone up the most since last year.
German apartments are getting bigger despite the housing crunch
In the past ten years the size of the average German apartment has grown as has the size of living space the average resident has. What explains the trend, and what does it mean for desperate flat seekers?