The first apartment of my own and away from my parents' hotel. Most people take this step during the first semesters of their studies, because on average women in Germany move out at the age of 22 and men at the age of 25. This is relatively early compared to the EU, because in Italy it is not that rare for people to live with their parents until the age of 30, especially for men.
But how does it actually work - undressing? Because the paperwork and the search aren't that easy.
1. Find an apartment
Now you have to ask yourself the question, do you want to live alone or in a shared apartment, with friends or strangers? There are many different living situations that you can choose from. Since you know yourself best, you probably know which living area is best for you.
Now for the hard part: finding an apartment. At university, if you're lucky, you can find an offer on the bulletin board or put up an “I'm looking” note yourself. Of course, you can also look around on real estate portals or (in the old school way) rummage through newspaper advertisements. Especially in large cities, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find an affordable and livable apartment due to such offers, which is why it is always worth asking around among your friends. Of course, you have to be aware that your first apartment probably won't meet the standards of your parents' apartment, but hey, otherwise it would be boring.
2. Apartment inspection
Never sign an apartment contract without viewing the apartment. The inspection is important not only for you, but also for the landlord. So put on something nice, don't be late and don't be hungover because first impressions count.
Of course it's also about you seeing the apartment. It's best to take a second person with you so that you don't miss any flaws. Now you also have the chance (and you should definitely take advantage of it) to clarify everything you are allowed to do as a tenant and what you are not allowed to do. This means, for example, owning pets, painting the walls, etc.
3. Sign important contracts
First of all, you have to find your own electricity and gas provider, because when you use the first kilowatt hour, you are tied to a general electricity provider, which is much more expensive than if you compare independently. The affordable electricity provider Yello offers a combination plan consisting of electricity or gas and a desired device. The rewards range from iPhones to washing machines. If you would rather have a year of free Netflix with your electricity/gas tariff instead of a device, then take a look at the affordable provider E for Simply .
You also need an internet and telephone connection. You should take care of this relatively early on so that you don't end up without internet for the first few weeks. To do this, you have to ask your landlord whether the apartment has fiber optic cabling or a DSL connection. We recommend the unbeatable student offer for DSL Internet from eazy .
4. Pack things up
The first thing you should take care of is moving boxes. Since these are usually totally overpriced, you can ask around among your friends about other boxes. Maybe friends of yours have recently moved and no longer need them. There is also the possibility of finding cheap or free offers in neighborhood communities or on eBay classifieds.
5. Transport to the new apartment
Since you can't do all the fun alone, you'll need four to five helpers, and it's best to let them know well in advance, as moving is quite time-consuming. Now you can think about whether you can transport the boxes in your own car. When moving within a city, it is of course possible to travel back and forth several times. However, please ensure that it is stored safely and legally! Most of the time, booking a van is worth it and makes the whole thing a little more relaxed.
6. Don't forget to have fun
Despite all the stress during planning, don't forget that anticipation is the greatest joy. Nevertheless, you should enjoy the last few weeks in your parents' hotel and let yourself be pampered. No matter how stressful the move is, get your best friends together and make something special out of it, because moving out of home isn't something you do every day. Simply turn on your favorite music and off you go! As a small thank you, the pizza and beer at the end of the day are on you. Thanks to Lieferando , you don't have to leave your new apartment and can enjoy the food on the boxes and floor. This is part of every successful move!
7. Report the apartment
You must have registered with the Citizens' Registration Office within the first 14 days after moving, otherwise you could face a fine. You don't have to deregister your old place of residence, because the office will do that for you. Before your appointment, check the website to see what documents you need to bring with you. In most cities you will need proof of rental, which can sometimes be informal. At the same time, you also have to inform your banks, employers, clubs, memberships, etc. of your new address.
8. GEZ fees
Yes, every household has to pay the broadcasting fees, regardless of whether they have a television and radio or not. Totally outdated, but you can only get around it (and not always) if you receive BAfög or other social benefits. So don't forget to register the apartment with the GEZ after moving in, otherwise you'll be fined. That makes €17.50 per month.
