Accommodation in Hamburg / Offers and Useful Tips
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:
- HomeCompany (no extra commission, all-inclusive rent)
- City-Wohnen Hamburg (no extra commission, all-inclusive rent)
- Housing Anywhere (service fee of 25% of a single month of rent)
- Wunderflats (no extra commission, all-inclusive rent, €€€)
- Punktlandung (relocation agency, commission to be paid)
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.