Why complete and fast wins
In cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt, a good listing can get dozens or even hundreds of messages within hours. Landlords and property managers rarely read them all. They tend to shortlist the people who send a complete, tidy application right away, because it saves them from chasing documents.
A typical German rental application (Wohnungsbewerbung) includes:
- a tenant self-disclosure form (Mieterselbstauskunft)
- a short cover letter introducing you
- proof of income, usually your last three payslips or your employment contract
- your ID or passport to show at the viewing (according to German data protection authorities, a landlord may not demand a copy)
- a SCHUFA credit report, if you already have one
- a rent debt-free certificate from your previous landlord (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung), if you have rented in Germany before
If you are new to Germany, you will probably be missing one or two of these. That is normal. Each guide below explains what to send instead.
How it works in 4 steps
- Fill in your tenant self-disclosure. Personal details, job, income and household, explained field by field in English.
- Write your application letter. A short, polite German letter generated from a few answers.
- Add proof. Payslips, SCHUFA or alternatives, a landlord certificate and, if needed, a guarantor declaration.
- Merge everything into one PDF. Cover page, letter, form and attachments in a single file you can send straight from your phone.
English instructions, German documents
The tool talks to you in English, but every PDF it generates is in German. That is deliberate. Most German landlords and property managers expect German forms and will not read an English self-disclosure as carefully, if at all. A German document that looks like the ones they already know makes you look prepared, even if your German is still basic.
You can of course mention in your letter that you prefer to communicate in English. Being upfront about it is usually better than pretending.
Your data never leaves your device
Everything you type is processed in your browser. The PDFs are created on your device and nothing is uploaded to our servers. No account, no email address, no tracking of your answers. Your data is stored locally in your browser so you can continue later, and you can delete it at any time.
Frequently asked questions
Is this really free?
Yes. All templates and the combined PDF are free and work without registration.
Why are the documents in German and not English?
Because German landlords expect German documents. The form fields, legal wording and layout match what they are used to, which makes your application easier to process. You get the English explanations on screen.
I just arrived and have no SCHUFA and no German rental history. Can I still apply?
Yes. Many newcomers rent their first flat without either. Send bank statements, your employment contract and, if possible, a reference from your previous landlord abroad. Our <a href="/en/schufa-germany">SCHUFA guide</a> explains the alternatives.
Do you send my application to landlords?
No. You download the PDF and send it yourself, usually by email or through the listing portal's message function.
Is this legal advice?
No. The content is general information for orientation. For individual legal questions, a tenants' association (<em>Mieterverein</em>) or a lawyer is the right place.