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Accommodation in Hamburg / Offers and Useful Tips

Site: myKLU Learning platform
Course: Student Services - Orientation for New Students
Book: Accommodation in Hamburg / Offers and Useful Tips
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Date: Friday, 4 April 2025, 5:05 AM

Table of contents

1. General information

To start off, "Finding accommodation in Hamburg (without losing your mind)" is a short and light-hearted introduction to the topic, written by one of our colleagues. We recommend warmly to take the 5-10 minutes it takes to read it, as it touches on many of the relevant topics.

Please also check Student Services on KLU's website for general information about accommodation in Hamburg. Then click on the arrows or use the table of contents on the left to navigate through the information about accommodation.

Finding the right type of accommodation is a challenging task. Accommodation in Hamburg is both hard to find and comparatively expensive. KLU supports you in finding suitable accommodation, but does not offer on-campus housing.

When to start looking for housing

Affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, so you should start looking for accommodation as soon as you can! Dorm rooms fill up quickly and searching on the free market may take several months. The earlier you apply, the easier it will be to find the kind of accommodation you are looking for. There can always be a great last-minute-deal but if you want to be on the safe side we recommend to start looking for accommodation about 3 months in advance.

Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment

Rental prices are very diverse and strongly depend on the district, size and comfort you prefer; therefore, a general number is hard to tell. The range for a 2-bedroom apartment can be from 600 to 1300 Euros plus utilities. We highly recommend you to take a look at the rental-map (click on it for a bigger view) below, which gives you a good overview of rental prices in each area.

The map is from 2020 and prices have gone up pretty much everywhere since then. We do find the map still useful for general comparison between areas, though.

Miet-Map 2020

Districts in Hamburg / Popular Neighborhoods

As far as personal security is concerned all districts in Hamburg can be considered as safe. However, some districts are more frequented than others. HafenCity as well as districts bordering on the Alster Lake are quite expensive. The districts Eimsbüttel, Sternschanze and Ottensen are quite central and very popular among students. Apartments and rooms in this area are in very high demand. Room and flat hunting is easier in districts like Hamburg-Nord, Harburg, Bergedorf and Wandsbek. With a limited budget you should explore alternatives outside the city center.

Hamburg has a safe, reliable and well-connected public transportation system, so that every district can be reached easily. A 30-45 min ride from home to university is not unusual. As you will receive a transportation ticket valid for the whole area of Hamburg, you might want to search in areas a little outside of the center. KLU is located in the HafenCity; we recommend looking for an apartment near underground stations along the underground line U2/U4.

Please find more information about each district in Hamburg here.

Recognizing scam offers

Generally, a scammer offers a room, studio or an apartment in a great location for an even greater price. Please find more information on how to recognize scam offers here.

It is very important that you take note of our security advice as there are fraudsters all over the world – including the Internet, unfortunately. The following things should make you suspicious when looking for an apartment, for example: an apartment is located in “downtown” Hamburg, is cheap, contact person won’t be in Hamburg and you would have to meet another person for the keys. Please never transfer money or sign a contract before having seen the apartment/room at least via video call. Maybe you already know someone in Hamburg and can ask them, if they can have a look at the apartment, if you are unsure.

The governmental-owned student dorms are an exception of this rule.

How to proceed

Get a contract first before transferring money, make sure to video chat and see the room/flat yourself, you can ask for an ID copy as well to make sure. You can send us contracts if you are in doubt. You will find an example here (some points may not apply)

You need individual support?

Contact our Student Services Team (studentservices@klu.org) for any further individual support or advice.

 

1.1. How to look for accommodation

From experience, emails without at least a friendly greeting (Dear... etc.) and sign-off (Best/warm regards, etc.) are much less likely to receive a positive response. Landlords and students searching for a flat mate are looking for friendly, communicative tenants and roommates, so the email should be considered as the first impression, especially in a competitive market such as Hamburg.

So start off with a short introduction of yourself: Just one or two sentences explaining why you came to Hamburg and what you are looking for is often enough.

Below, you can find the guide the Hamburg Welcome Center provides for all people coming from abroad. They also have a useful list of abbreviations which you might find in German accommodation ads. (If you click on the small picture, a PDF will open, which you can also search.)

List of Abbreviations 1First page of Hamburg Welcome Center Accommodation Guide              

2. Housing options for students

Basically, there are five housing options for students coming to Hamburg:

1. Governmental-owned student dorms (furnished)
KLU offers a limited number of rooms both for short-term accommodation (4 months) and for long-term accommodation (for the whole period of studies) in the governmentally-owned student dorm Kiwittsmoor. It is a little outside of the center, but well-connected with public transport, for which you receive a ticket from KLU. If you are interested in this accommodation option please check the chapter "governmental-owned student dorm "Studierendenwerk" - here you will find more details about the dorm that is available for KLU students and how to apply for a room there.

The student dorms offer shared apartments with 2-8 people. Each student has their own bedroom; kitchen and bathroom are shared. It is not possible to choose roommate(s).

Please note: Applications to the dorms that do not come through us at KLU will not be considered by the Studierendenwerk. If you are interested in the rooms, you will be informed in time about the application process.

2. Private student dorms (furnished)
If you want more than average student housing and modern facilities within an easy distance to the city center and KLU, a private student dorm might be an option for you. Apartments in private student dorms have their own kitchen and bathroom. All additional costs like water, electricity, high-speed internet are included in the rent. Usually, all private student dorms have a waiting list, so you have to be fast! There usually is a minimum renting period of 6-12 months.

If you are interested in this accommodation option please check the chapter "private student dorms" - here you will find more details (such as addresses and information on facilities) about the private student dorms and on how to apply independently.

Moreover, KLU holds a limited number of apartments in the private student dorm “SMARTments”, so you will find the possibility to apply for one of these apartments as well.

3. Agencies for short-term accommodation (furnished)
If you do not mind paying an initial provision or a relatively high rent (compared to rents on the free housing market), searching a room or apartment (furnished) via a housing agency might be an option for you.
Agencies for short-term accommodation:

4. Apartment (unfurnished) 
You will find housing companies and private landlords in Hamburg mainly on the following webpage (only some are furnished):

These links are especially useful in case you are already in Germany since it is often required that you are available for a flat viewing.

Other property management companies recommended by fellow students or KLU staff are e.g. “Strokarck Hausmakler“ and “Potenberg-Gruppe“. You might address the property management companies with a letter.

  • saying what kind of accommodation you are looking for
  • that you are a KLU student
  • and by giving financial proof.

Also, we have many Housing Cooperatives in Hamburg which are more social and reasonable priced than other companies and private housing.

You will register on each website your search (e.g. 1 room with balcony, min. 35sqm and max. €450). If a flat for rent meets your criteria you will be contacted via e-mail. Be aware that you need a person to co-sign with a stable working contact.

5. Shared flats or sublets (usually furnished)
For rooms in a shared flat (usually furnished) please check the following website:

The KLU Team also helps students with finding rooms from alumni or current KLU students who sublet their apartments to new students every year. In some cases, new students may also be able to take over leases of alumni in case they are going to leave Hamburg after graduation. This kind of accommodation varies from sharing an apartment with other students (from KLU or other universities in Hamburg) to renting a room in a private residence (whole apartment). Some KLU students also sublet their rooms/apartments during their semester abroad. Rental prices start at around €400 per month. Student Services informs all students about accommodation offers by email. Another possibility is to join our Facebook group „Students at THE KLU“. The community is very helpful and you are able to get in contact with current students directly.

2.1. Limited options through KLU

Please note: KLU does not have its own student dorm, through a cooperation with the public dorm provider Studierendenwerk, there are very few rooms available to KLU students in one of their dorms. There can be no guarantee given that a room can be offered and the main focus of the search should be through other channels!

1. Short-term room in the student dorm Kiwittsmoor
Ideal for a smaller budget
There is a very limited number of rooms available for KLU students in the governmental-owned student dorm Kiwittsmoor for temporary accommodation. If you have a small budget for accommodation and you are satisfied with average student housing a little outside the city center and prefer to pay an affordable price, a room in the governmental-owned student dorm is a good option to choose.

It is an easy and fast solution in finding accommodation for the first semester (rental period for fall term: September 1 – December 31; spring term: January 1 - March 31) and interesting both for exchange students as well as for students who would like to search for permanent accommodation after their arrival in Hamburg without time pressure. You have your own room in a shared flat and share the kitchen and bathroom with other students. Monthly rent: 345 Euros (Kiwittsmoor).

More information for short-term rent in the student dorm can be found here.
Please, don't apply directly, you will get a rejection as we are receiving a small number of rooms we can distribute directly.

2. Room in the student dorm Kiwittsmoor/for a small budget (permanent accommodation)
There is a very limited number of rooms available for KLU students in the governmental owned student dorm Kiwittsmoor from September 1st onwards. These rooms are reserved for longer rental periods (min. 6 months up to 3 years = full course of studies). You have your own room and share kitchen/bathroom with other students. Monthly rent: 305 Euros. More information for Kiwittsmoor can be found here. Please, don't apply directly, you will get a rejection as we are receiving a small number of rooms we can distribute directly.

X. SMARTments apartment

As we are currently still waiting on important feedback from the provider, it is not possible to apply for a room at Smartments in the first round.
There is a very limited number of KLU apartments available at SMARTments Berliner Tor. The private student dorm is very centrally located and is perfect for students with a higher budget who wish to live alone in a 1-person apartment with modern furnishings and an own kitchenette/own bathroom. The renting period from August to December 2024 and the monthly rent is 795 €.  More information for Smartments can be found here.

Application

Student Services will be sending out an email with a link to the application form as well as information and instructions. Please fill out the form to be eligible to receive a room.

The application period will begin on June 6 and last until June 12. You will be informed whether or not you received a room 2-3 working days after the end of the application period.

Important note for applications for the fall term: We require that you either have received a visa by August 15 or that you have had your visa appointment by that day! Otherwise, chances are high that you will not be able to arrive in Hamburg by September 1, so your room will be given to someone who will be able to join from Day 1.

 

2.2. Info Sheets

Please find here the info sheets, giving more information on the types of accommodation KLU can offer at the moment. Please read through the information carefully before you apply!

Important note: Each year, the number of applications to rooms offered through KLU far exceeds the number of rooms that are available! Please always look for alternative accommodation, as it cannot be guaranteed that you will receive one through KLU!

Further information on the types of accommodation are also found below the info sheets.

The pictures on the info sheets are not necessarily what the rooms will look like, they are meant to give a general idea.

Student Dorm Kiwittsmoor:

Student Dorm of the DRK

Title page for the information sheet for the DRK dorm.

Smartments                                                                 
(please note that for organizational reasons, an application to Smartments through KLU is currently not possible)

                  

1. Room in the student dorm Kiwittsmoor offered by KLU/for a small budget (temporary / short-term accommodation) – available from Sep-Dec
If you have a small budget for accommodation and you are satisfied with average student housing a little outside of the city center and prefer to pay an affordable price, a room in the governmental owned student dorm is a good option to choose. It is an easy and fast solution in finding accommodation for the first semester (renting period: September 1 – December 31) and interesting both for exchange students as well as for students who would like to search for permanent accommodation after arrival in Hamburg without time pressure. You have your own room and share kitchen/bathroom with other students.
Monthly rent: EUR 345 (this might be subject to change but has been stable in the past). Please don’t apply directly at the Studierendenwerk, as part of the cooperation, we are allocating the rooms.

 2. Room in the student dorm Kiwittsmoor/for a small budget (long term accommodation) – available for full period of studies
There is a limited number of rooms available for KLU students in the governmental owned student dorm Kiwittsmoor from September 1st onwards. These rooms are reserved for longer rental periods. You have your own room and share kitchen & bathroom with other students.
Monthly rent: On average about EUR 315. The contracts are made directly between you and the Studierendenwerk. Please don’t apply directly at the Studierendenwerk before, as part of the cooperation, we are allocating the rooms.

3. Room in the student dorm of the DRK/for a small budget (long term accommodation) – available for full period of studies
There is a very limited number of rooms available for KLU students in student dorm of the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz) from September 1st onwards. These rooms are reserved for longer rental periods. You have your own room on the ground floor and share kitchen & bathroom with other students on the same floor.
Monthly rent: EUR 300 (this might be subject to change but has been stable in the past).

X. Smartments apartment (long-term accommodation) – please note the increased rent from January 2024 on

There is a very limited number of KLU apartments available at SMARTments Berliner Tor. The private student dorm is very centrally located and is perfect for students with a higher budget who wish to live alone in a 1-person apartment with modern furnishings and an own kitchenette/own bathroom. The renting period is for your whole study time (BSC: 3 years, MSC: 2 years) and the monthly rent from January 2024 is 795 € (Sep-Dec 2023: 615 €).  More information for Smartments can be found here.

You can also apply directly at Smartments under the conditions written on their website if you wish. There are three Smartment apartment buildings in Hamburg to all of which you can apply independently. The rooms that are available through KLU are in the Ebba-Simon-Haus.

2.3. Governmental-owned student dorms (Studierendenwerk)

General information

The student dorms of "Studierendenwerk Hamburg" are governmental owned dormitories for students from state-run universities. Although rooms are normally only offered to students from state-run universities, KLU has an agreement with the service provider "Studierendenwerk". This enables us to offer:

  • short-term accommodation in the student dorm Kiwittsmoor (renting period: Sept-Dec/4 months.)
  • long-term accommodation in the student dorm Kiwittsmoor (for the whole period of studies)

Please note that this dormitory is currently the only one available to KLU. Rooms in the governmental owned student dorm cannot be rented by PhD or MBA students.

Please do not apply directly for dorms at the governmental owned houses, we do have some rooms and we are allocating them. You will be rejected in any case and it is not good for our cooperation when students cause more work for them. 

The rooms in the governmental-owned dorm in Kiwittsmoor are based on fixed contracts between the "Studierendenwerk" and KLU. The "Studierendenwerk" charges KLU with a higher rental fee for private universities. The rent KLU students pay is exactly the amount that KLU has to pay to the "Studierendenwerk". KLU does not make any profit on rent differences. Please find more information about the dormitory and the application process in the following.

Student dorm Kiwittsmoor (short term accommodation & long-term accommodation)
In the student dorm in Kiwittsmoor KLU has both a limited number of rooms for short term accommodation (renting period: Sept-Dec/4months. For Tricon_Partner students also rooms from Sept-Feb available) and for long term (for the whole period of studies) available.

The rooms are furnished with bed, chair, table and cupboard. You will find also pillow and blanket and a fully equipped kitchen. What you need to bring with you is sheets and towels.

Please find the accommodation profile (information about location, facilities, monthly rent) of the student dorm in Kiwittsmoor on the website of Studierendenwerk.

The deadline for accommodation applications 2022 has already passed. If you are interested in being placed on a waiting list, please contact studentservices@the-klu.org.

2.4. Accommodation for the first days

Whatever type of accommodation you go for, please bear in mind to book a hotel/hostel for your first nights in Hamburg. Finding a room in Hamburg may take a while, especially at the beginning of the academic year. Most rooms –incl. the student dorm rooms in the governmental-owned dorms–are available as of September 01 only. Since your first week on campus the KLU Welcome Week will start at the beginning of September, and you should not miss the Welcome Week, please book a hotel/hostel for the first night/s.

If you need a place to stay for a few days or the first weeks (e .g. when you will start looking for an apartment after arriving in Hamburg) Hamburg offers several options:

With a small budget

  • A&O Hostel: four hostel locations in Hamburg and starting from 9€ per night very affordable.

  • Generator Hostel: low-priced, near the main rail station

  • Instant Sleep: small hostel in the "Schanzenviertel"

  • Motel One: budget hotel chain, four locations in Hamburg, including the city center

  • Schanzenstern: two hostels in the districts of Sternschanze and Altona, easy to reach by public transport

  • Youth hostels Stintfang & Horner Rennbahn: Stintfang is located directly at the Hamburg Harbor and Horner Rennbahn close to the subway station of the same name. Both are budget-friendly with a number of different room types available, mostly dormitory rooms with multiple beds, but also two bed rooms.

  • Checking booking.com for last minute or season related discounts can often be a good option

  • AirBnB can be an option for a few days and sometimes be cheaper than a hotel, especially if you are travelling with more people.

Hotels – comfortable accommodation near the city center

2.5. Private living

Checking Internet offers

As some classes will finish their studies by the end of August and might plan to leave Hamburg, there is a small chance for you to take over a room or apartment from a KLU graduate. Please feel free to connect with more than 500 KLU students and join our Facebook group „Students at THE KLU“ (please answer the questions to gain entry). You might also want to check out the facebook group "Freie Wohnung / WG in Hamburg" where people are posting about free flats and rooms.

Finally, we would like to list you some general websites which might be useful for you when looking for housing on your own:

To find an apartment (unfurnished) or shared flat (usually furnished) from housing companies or private landlords:

To find a room in a shared flat (usually furnished and for some months):

 
SAGA

The municipal housing company SAGA has small (unfurnished) apartments in its portfolio that are particularly suitable for trainees and students in Barmbek-Nord - 15-22qm for around €250-€300. Minimum rental period 13 months.


Agencies for (short-term) accommodation (furnished)

The websites below are serviced portals that connect landlords and renters, verifying and sometimes also photographing rooms. These services are expensive, with a higher rent for furnished apartments and additional service fees. They do offer benefits like fraud checks and some customer service also in English, but you must decide what suits your budget best.

2.6. Private Dormitories

As the number of rooms in the Studierendenwerk dorms are very limited, looking at offers from private dorm providers might be another option, as they provide similar benefits such as furnished rooms, included utilities in the rent and a diverse and friendly community of students and dorm personnel.

Please find below a list of dorm providers, each with a short introduction. Should you have any questions about specific dorms or you have trouble understanding the application process, feel free to write to studentservices@klu.org and we will gladly help you.

To have a better chance of getting a response, given the opportunity, it is good to write a few sentences introducing yourself, what you are doing in Hamburg and why you would be interested in receiving a room. From experience, emails without at least a friendly greeting and sign-off are much less likely to receive a positive response.

Most landlords are looking for friendly, communicative tenants, so the email should be considered as the first impression, especially in a competitive market such as Hamburg.

Disclaimer: This list is just as a first source of information for you. It does not encompass all private dormitories in Hamburg and while we try to keep the information, especially about prices, as current as possible, there may be a difference in final prices. Kindly have a look at the respective websites to find the most accurate information.

96 rooms

Located in Wandsbek Hamburg east, close to shopping streets and cafés.

Bachstraße77

Located in "Komponistenviertel" Hamburg east, close to shopping streets, trains and KLU. Single flats available, also shared flats with 2 or 3 people possible! Website in German, click on "Bewerbung" for an application.

BH185

Offering apartments at a comparatively affordable price. Located directly at U1 Farmsen, travel time to KLU is about 40 minutes. 184 rooms in total available.

Waiting list is possible.

THE FIZZ
THE FIZZ is a private student residence that opened in March 2020 and is located in Hamburg Altona. A new dormitory complex from The Fizz will open in Fall 2024 in Hammerbrook.

1-room fully furnished apartments with small kitchen, private bathroom, high-speed internet and common areas like study or movie rooms. There are also double apartments for couples available. Travel time by public transport to KLU approx. 35 minutes.

If you are interested, you can apply directly through their website or you can send an e-mail to sales.hamburg@the-fizz.com (you can write in English) and inquire about the dorm. Please note that the rent in THE FIZZ can vary depending on different factors from size, to location within the dorm and others.

elevon Hamburg City

Mostly 1-room apartments of varying sizes and prizes located in the center of Hamburg near central station/U Steinstraße (about 25 minutes walking distance from KLU). The rooms are furnished and other benefits available, such as a rooftop terrace and the possibility to rent more storage room.m²

Kubus Living

Located in Harburg, approx. 30 minutes travel time to KLU and 20 minutes to the city center. Loft style apartments, around 60m². There is a minimum rental period of six months and you can stay there for up to three years.

Smartments 

1-person apartments or shared flats around €800 (price includes all utility costs, Wi-Fi and SAT connection as well as modern furnishings). Each apartment has a kitchenette with microwave, ceramic hob, extractor hood and fridge and a private bathroom. Smartments offers apartments at three locations: Berliner Tor, Hühnerposten and Münzviertel (near central station). All locations are approx. 15 minutes by public transport from KLU.

Stuart 

1-person apartments with all-inclusive rent (additional costs like water, electricity, high-speed internet). The apartments have a private bathroom, a pantry and very modern furniture. Stuart apartments are located in Hamburg-Ottensen. In the direct neighborhood, you can find plenty of shopping opportunities as well as sports facilities, restaurants and a train station (Hamburg-Altona). Ottensen is very popular among students. The travel time by public transport to KLU is approx. 30 minutes.

Since 2018 Stuart opened a second house in Wandsbek. This area could also be attractive, since it has a very good public transport connection and various shopping opportunities.

Urban Living Hamburg

1-person apartments with a rent that includes all utilities and high-speed internet).
Urban Living Hamburg is private student residence in Hamburg-Othmarschen (next to the student dorm Campus Hamburg) with 1-room fully furnished apartments. All apartments have a small kitchen, high-speed internet, common rooms like launderette, bistro, lounge. Travel time by public transport to KLU ca. 40 minutes.

DIE ZIMMEREI

Two dormitories in Hamburg (Wilhelmsburg and Central Hamburg). Apartments in Wilhelmsburg (15 minutes to KLU with public transport) are cheaper than the apartments in Central Hamburg (30 minutes to KLU with public transport).

Fully furnished, 1-2 rooms. All apartments include a small kitchen, a private bathroom + shower, free Wifi and a separate parking space for your bike. Application for rooms online.

3. Once you have found accommodation

„Kaltmiete“ and „Warmmiete“
The monthly rent for an apartment is divided into “Kaltmiete” and “Warmmiete”. Kaltmiete is actually the basic rent. The costs for waste collection, gas, heating and other amenities in the house (utility costs) are called “Nebenkosten” and will be added to the “Kaltmiete”. The total rent is always the “Warmmiete” (=rent for the apartment and the utility costs). Usually still not all utilities are included in the “Warmmiete”. It is rather usual for electricity costs in Germany not to be included in “Warmmiete”. That means you will have to set up an individual account with your German utilities provider.

Security Deposit
Most landlords will require a security deposit. This deposit is usually three times your monthly basic rent. The deposit has to be paid when moving in, and is returned when moving out of the apartment (subject to the condition of the apartment). Never pay a deposit without a written contract for the apartment!

House rules in Germany
Usually house rules are part of your rental contract. However, please find some general matters concerning living in German rented apartments here:

- Avoid loud noises, especially between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Mo – Sat) and all day on Sunday.
- Wash and dry laundry only in areas provided by the landlord.
- Leave cars, bicycles, etc., only in areas provided by the landlord.
- Install television or radio antennas only with the permission of the landlord.
- Inform the landlord immediately in case of any damages.
- Obtain the landlord's written permission if you wish to keep a pet.
- It is not allowed to grill, barbecue or make an open fire on a balcony.
- Keep your apartment clean and dry, so that no damage occurs.
- Ask your landlord in case you would like to sublet your apartment or if you would like to rent a room in your apartment to another person (it is usually not allowed but sometimes you can make an agreement with your landlord).
- Make use of the garbage cans you usually find in an area provided by the landlord. In Hamburg, using the blue recovered paper bin, the yellow recyclable material bin and the bottle banks is free of charge. Fees have to be paid for the collection of the black non-recyclable refuse bin and the green organic waste bin only. Usually, if you are tenant of an apartment or house, waste disposal fees are already included in the total rent.

GEZ / fee for the German public broadcasting institutions called "Rundfunkbeitrag"
When you register in Hamburg, you will receive a letter from "Beitragsservice von ARD, ZDF und Deutschlandradio" (formerly GEZ). Nearly everyone living in Germany is required to pay a fee to the public broadcasting institutions called "Rundfunkbeitrag". The fee is collected by the GEZ. Please find more information about the fee here as well as here.

Handing over an apartment 

Find information here on how you should hand over the apartment/room when you leave.

Cancelation
Please find here a typical German cancelation letter and its English translation.

3.1. Registration and deregistration

After arriving in Hamburg, you will need to register at any registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in Hamburg.

Please find all relevant forms regarding registering, change of address and de-registering as well as translations of the German versions in the following:

More information about what to do after arrival can be found here.