Moving Into Your New Home in Germany

Relocating to Germany can be a lifetime and memorable experience. Germany offers countless opportunities for expats, students and businessmen seeking to move and start their new life in the country. Two of the major benefits of living in Germany include, the impeccable economy, which ranks first in Europe and high quality of life.

When relocating, its inevitable that you need to search for a right property to live in. The rent and real estate prices in Germany are not amongst the cheapest, however, when compared to the wages received, accommodation becomes quite affordable.

Once you find your new home, there are a number of things that you need to consider, in order to settle in.

Furniture

Firstly, you need to decide whether you are going to move into an already furnished house or not. When it comes to permanent accommodations, they are usually unfurnished, therefore, you need to decide from where to equip your new home. This also depends on the location you opt for, as in some cities, new properties are already provided with some basic furnishing.Thankfully, in Germany there are many options to buy furniture from, whether you are opting for a basic or a highly finished layout.

Handover of the housing

This is extremely important to be done in the very beginning. Insist on viewing thoroughly the property and record any damages, wear and tear and/or missing things. Despite this not being enforced by law, it is usually accepted throughout the country. Landlords that do not agree to do this are usually to be avoided, unless you deem the accommodation to be in a perfect condition.This can clarify any unclear issues, such as what happens if a key is lost, how damages reflect on the deposit and since usually the landlord has ample local experience, it could be an opportunity to discover your neighbourhood. Furthermore, if you insist on recording the handover, it is likely to give a good impression with the landlord, enhancing your relationship.

Utilities

Based on what is recorded in the handover, usually you need to apply for electricity and water. Furthermore, in some cases you also need to search for a gas provider. The tariffs change drastically, depending on which provider you opt for.Furthermore, you also need to consider setting up an internet and phone connection. Similar to the above, tariffs also vary depending on which provider you choose. Usually for internet, you need to settle for a 24-month contract and might take up to a month to get everything connected to your property. This varies depending on the provider, however, smaller organizations tend to take slightly longer.