- In ↗ regional newspapers, e.g. the Badische Neueste Nachrichten (BNN), Badische Woche, etc.
- or in the ↗ Internet
- If you would like to live with other people, you can also look for a Wohngemeinschaft (WG) (a shared house/apartment).
You can find a list of WGs online at: https://www.wg-gesucht.de/, www.wg-suche.de, or Facebook groups, e.g. WG Zimmer frei in Karlsruhe.
You can find here a list of residential ↗ development companies and housing cooperatives
The largest residential development company in Karlsruhe is VOLKSWOHNUNG GmbH of the City of Karlsruhe: https://www.volkswohnung.com/startseite
💡 Tip: As in many large German cities, finding an apartment in Karlsruhe is not always easy. Ask friends, relatives, neighbours and colleagues whether they know of any available apartments!
Here are some useful abbreviations you will often find in apartment advertisements:
- AB Altbau (Old building)
- B Bad (Bathroom)
- BLK Balkon (Balcony)
- HT Haustier (Pet)
- KM Kaltmiete (Basic rent)
- Kt. Kaution (Deposit)
- mbl. möbliert (Furnished)
- mtl. monatlich (Monthly)
- NB Neubau (New building)
- NK Nebenkosten (Utility charges)
- NR Nichtraucher (Non-smoker)
- P/PP Parkplatz (Parking space)
- Whg. Wohnung (Apartment)
- WM Warmmiete (Rent incl. utility charges)
- Zi. Zimmer (Rooms)
- ZKB Zimmer Küche Bad (Room + kitchen + bathroom)
- ZKD Zimmer Küche Dusche (Room + kitchen + shower)
Tip: What should I take with me when I go to view the property? A copy of your identity card and, if you have one, confirmation that you have a job (e.g. a pay slip or a copy of your employment contract).
What is a deposit? Most landlords will ask you for a deposit before you move into the rented apartment. This is usually 2 or 3 months’ Kaltmiete (KM – basic rent), i.e. rent not including utility charges. You will get this money back when you move out – unless something in the apartment needs to be repaired.
Tip: Don’t forget to write your name on your mailbox and doorbell – it’s easily overlooked in the stress of moving to a new apartment.