My First WBS: A Beginner’s Guide to Finding a Flat in Germany

Okay, deep breath. Moving to Germany was amazing, settling in has been…well, a learning curve. And right now, I’m staring at this ridiculously long form – the WBS (Wohnungsbewerbung – application for housing) – and feeling completely overwhelmed. Honestly, it felt like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics at first. But I’m going to walk you through it, because let’s be real, this is a hurdle every newcomer faces, and I’m hoping sharing my experience will make it a little less scary for you.

The WBS – What Exactly Is It?

The WBS is essentially your application for a rental flat (a “Wohnung”). It’s not just a form; it’s a way of proving to the landlord (the “Wohnungsbesitzer”) that you’re a responsible tenant and can actually pay the rent. It’s a lot more detailed than I initially thought, and I definitely made some mistakes before.

Section 1: Personal Information – “Persönliche Angaben”

This is where you start. It’s pretty straightforward, but pay attention to the details! You’ll need:

• Name (Name): Obviously. Mine is Sarah Miller.
• Geburtsdatum (Date of Birth): January 15, 1992. “Ich bin 32 Jahre alt.” (I am 32 years old.)
• Nationalität (Nationality): American. “Ich bin Amerikanerin.” (I am American.)
• Adresse (Address): My current temporary address in Munich. Important: You need to have a registered address, even if it’s just a hotel or hostel at the start.
• Telefonnummer (Phone Number): My mobile – essential! “Bitte rufen Sie mich an, wenn Sie Fragen haben.” (Please call me if you have questions.)
• E-Mail-Adresse (Email Address): Definitely include this. It’s the easiest way for landlords to contact me.

Section 2: Your Situation – “Meine Situation”

This is where things get a little trickier. It asks about your employment, income, and previous living situations.

• Beruf (Occupation): I’m a freelance translator. “Ich bin freier Übersetzer.” I had to explain this to the guy at the apartment agency – they weren’t entirely sure what “freelance” meant!
• Einkommen (Income): This is always a tense one. As a freelancer, I had to provide my estimated monthly income. “Mein monatliches Einkommen beträgt ungefähr 3500 Euro.” (My monthly income is approximately 3500 Euros.) I was told to be realistic, and I think I was honest.
• Mietschuldenfrei (Rent-Free History): This means you haven’t had any late rent payments. I had to say, “Ich bin mietschuldenfrei.” (I am rent-free.) It’s crucial!
• Schufa-Auskunft (Schufa Report): This is a credit report. I needed to get one, and honestly, it was a bit confusing. You can get it online, but you need to provide ID. It’s definitely worth the effort – it shows you’re reliable.

Section 3: The Flat Itself – “Die Wohnung”

Here, you tell them about the flat you’re applying for.

• Wohnungsgröße (Flat Size): 65 square meters.
• Anzahl der Zimmer (Number of Rooms): Two rooms. “Es hat zwei Zimmer und eine Küche.” (It has two rooms and a kitchen.)
• Mietpreis (Rent Price): €850 per month. This was the first thing I checked to make sure I could afford it!

The “Anschreiben” – The Cover Letter

Don’t skip this! It’s your chance to make a good impression. I wrote mine in German (with help from a friend!), and it included:

• A polite greeting: “Sehr geehrte/r Herr/Frau [Landlord’s Name],” (Dear Mr./Ms. [Landlord’s Name],)
• An explanation of why I wanted to rent the flat.
• A statement of my commitment to being a good tenant. “Ich versichere Ihnen, dass ich mich stets um die Wohnung kümmern werde.” (I assure you that I will always take care of the apartment.)

My Biggest Mistake (and a Lesson Learned)

I almost made a huge mistake! I initially misread the question about “Vorname” (first name) and wrote my middle name instead. My friend caught it before I submitted the form. “Sarah, das ist ein Fehler! Schreibe nur deinen Vornamen!” (Sarah, that’s an error! Just write your first name!). It was a super stressful moment, but it highlighted the importance of reading carefully.

Resources to Help You

• Schufa Website: [https://www.schufa.de/](https://www.schufa.de/) – For getting your credit report.
• Online German Translation Tools: Google Translate (use with caution!)
• A German-Speaking Friend: Seriously, don’t be afraid to ask for help! It’s better than making mistakes.

Finding a flat in Germany is a process, and the WBS is a key part of it. It’s daunting, but with a little preparation and a willingness to learn, you can do it! Viel Glück! (Good luck!)

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