What are the different forms of living?

First and foremost, it’s important to know that there are several different forms of living available to you, such as:

• Shared flats (Wohngemeinschaften/WGs): this usually refers to several people living together in a shared residential space. You would normally have your own room and share the kitchen, bathroom, and living room with roommates. This form of living might not be for everyone, but it certainly comes with certain advantages. As socializing could be a struggle for some international students at first, having roommates might mean that you won’t be alone as often, have an easier time meeting new people, and get help with navigating the city (where to shop, where to do certain activities, etc.). This is the most common form of living for students, but you should decide for yourself if it suits you!

• Student dormitories (Studierendenwohnheim): TU Darmstadt doesn’t own student dormitories, but they do work in cooperation with many student accommodation facilities in the area like Studierendenwerk Darmstadt. The accommodations provided by Studierendenwerk Darmstadt are mostly similar to shared flats as in most of the housing, you live with around two to four people (and sometimes even more). Studierendenwerk isn’t the only provider of student dormitories, but they do offer advantages as they are not profit oriented and have mostly furnished rooms. However, as opposed to other shared flats, you won’t be able to choose your roommates as they are randomly assigned to you. There are of course also many privately-run student dormitories in Darmstadt which offer almost only single apartments. They are generally more expensive, but also are preferred by many students.

• Single apartments: this is often the costliest form of living, but depending on your preference, it could also be the most comfortable. When you live in a single apartment, you usually have a small home with your own bath, kitchen, and bedroom/living room. Single apartments can be found both in student dormitories and privately rented properties.

Who can help you in your search?

• For exchange students: ESHA (Exchange Students Housing Assistance) is a service provided by TU Darmstadt that offers help and support to exchange students in finding accommodation in and around Darmstadt. They work with a few well-known (public as well as private) student dormitory providers, such as: Studierendenwerk, Bauverein AG, and more. It’s important to note that their services are only offered to exchange students who are formally accepted through the Exchange Programmes at TU Darmstadt to study or participate in a research programme for one or two semesters (or possibly a shorter period of time).
• ESHA’s Registration Form: As an exchange student, once you’ve received an admission letter from the Office of International Relations, you will get a registration code (housing code) which you will need in order to submit the form. Remember to do this as soon as possible (the deadline is stated on your acceptance letter), so you can increase the chances of securing an accommodation. You will then receive a confirmation and they’ll contact you with more information. Please be aware that registration does not guarantee a placement, so make sure you always have backup plans!
• For international degree seeking students: Housing Assistance is another service facility that gives advice and assistance to international students who are looking for suitable accommodation. They can explain Darmstadt’s housing market and general information about renting in Germany. They also offer help in applying for a room in a shared flat, so if you have any questions related to housing in and around Darmstadt, they are more than happy to assist you.
• Housing Assistance’s Registration Form: In their efforts to help you with your search, they need to know details like what you are looking for in an accommodation as well as your budget, so you should fill out their online registration form to provide this information. It’s important to remember that while they strive to provide you with offers for accommodation in accordance with your wishes, they cannot always guarantee a successful match.
• Both of these services are free of charge!

Tired of waiting? Here’s how you can take looking for housing into your own hands

Due to the volume of students looking for accommodation and the limited amount of space in the student dormitories, being proactive is very important in finding accommodation. The more proactive you are, the more options you might find! Here are the steps you need to take to do that:

• Get to know more about the housing situation and market in Darmstadt and the surrounding areas by looking at various websites.
• Start to find some potentially suitable options as early as possible by filtering through the offers according to your criteria and budget.
• Start contacting the landlord or lady, property owner, or real estate agents (please be aware that using an agent could incur extra costs!) or register for a room via the property’s registration portals.
• Don’t forget to ask for current photos and arrange a visit (offline or online) before you confirm, sign, or pay anything to protect yourself from fraud.
• Prepare the documents you may need and be prepared to pay the deposit and first month’s rent up front. The requirements can vary from place to place, but once you get into contact with the landlord, they should directly tell you the required documents. Don’t forget to always check your e-mail, so you don’t miss any important information!
• Sign your housing contract and organize a move-in date!

Are you currently trying and finding it difficult? Don’t lose hope!

Finding accommodation can be a struggle and may take a long time, so here are some helpful tips that might help you:

• Remember to be safe: Even if cases of fraud rarely happen, do your best to protect yourself from housing fraud by communicating to landlords over trustworthy platforms. It would be even better if their accounts are verified. Another tip would be to ask for current photos and arrange a visit to see the accommodation before agreeing to, signing, or paying anything (an in-person visit would be great, but if you’re not in Germany or Darmstadt yet, then an online meeting could also be a good option). Remember, photos on the listing don’t always represent the current state of the accommodation.

• Don’t sell yourself short: When applying for a shared flat, you should treat your application (usually in the form of the messages you send through websites) seriously. Make yourself presentable and write all the relevant information that your potential future roommates should know about you, such as your personal data, your background, and even your habits and hobbies. It might make them more interested in having you as a roommate if they feel like they have a full picture of who you are.

• Keep your search area wide: You can look for rooms in parts of Darmstadt that aren’t as central and heavily populated like Arheilgen, Kranichstein, Eberstadt, or Wixhausen. Rent is often a little bit lower there, there are more options, and it’s still close enough to the university. You can reach the city center from these places in around 20 minutes with either a bike or public transport. Another option is to look for accommodation in cities around Darmstadt. You can now travel all around Germany with your semester ticket, that’s why many students at TU Darmstadt commute to the campus from all over the region.

• Sometimes temporary is better than nothing: As the housing market is difficult, you may not find your preferred room right away. But that doesn't mean you should give up! Also, searching once you’re in the area is easier than online, so start by staying in a hostel or hotel, or if you can, with friends or family. Once you are in Darmstadt and get to know people, you might even find a group to rent a flat to share together, as many providers don‘t like to rent the rooms individually. You may have to compromise at first (i.e. paying a higher rent) in order to have a chance to find an accommodation for the long-term that suits you better.

There are a lot of things you need to learn when you are entering the German housing market, especially in crowded cities like Darmstadt, but don’t let that scare or intimidate you! With effort and patience, you can find accommodation that will suit your needs. Stay optimistic and remember that ESHA and Housing Assistance will also try their best to help and support you regarding this! If there’s anything you should take away from this article, it’s that you should start your search as early as you possibly can! Be it for international degree seeking students or exchange students, being early in applying for accommodation or filling in the forms will increase your chances of getting the accommodation you want! So, make sure that you start as soon as you’ve decided that you want to study at TU Darmstadt!

We hope that this article has helped you understand how you can find your new home as a student of TU Darmstadt! Good luck on your search!