Types of housing

Housing conditions for people with disabilities can play a significant role in enabling them to lead an independent life. In Germany, for instance, there are barrier-free flats that are adapted to the needs of people with physical disabilities. These flats are often equipped with wider doors, level-access showers and lifts. At least newly built flats in Germany are now often barrier-free.

Support for people with disabilities is also available in the form of assisted living, where care and support services are available while residents can still lead independent lives. Another option is inclusive shared flats and housing projects in which people with and without disabilities live together. 

Aktion Mensch has compiled an overview of the various housing options for people with disabilities here. The Lebenshilfe Association also provides information about the rights of people with disabilities regarding housing.

There are counselling centres that support people with disabilities in finding accommodation and its expenses (e.g. through subsidies). Local district authorities run such counselling centres in different areas.

You can find more general information on the topic in our chapter “Living with Disabilities”.

In a shared flat (WG), you share a flat with other individuals. Usually, everyone has their own room, but the bathroom, kitchen and sometimes the living room are shared. Finding a room in a shared flat is usually a little easier than finding your own flat, as you don't have to convince a landlord, just the residents of the shared flat. In addition, a room can usually be cheaper than an entire flat.

In shared flats, you can also quickly make contacts and find social support, which can be particularly helpful for newcomers. There are special online portals where you can search for shared flats, such as WG-gesucht, but shared flats are also advertised occasionally on flat-hunting portals such as ImmoScout24, Immowelt, etc. There are also Facebook groups in every city where you can join. Adverts from private individuals are shared daily in these Facebook groups.

But watch out: Unfortunately, there are also dubious and fraudulent adverts on well-known platforms such as Immoscout, Immowelt, WG-Gesucht and Facebook groups. Please never share personal details such as copies of ID cards or passports without first thoroughly checking whether the offer is genuine. Also, do not transfer any money before viewing the flat in person and have a signed rental contract. Stay cautious and always do your research to protect yourself from fraud.

You can also get together with other people and look for a rental flat together to form a new flat share. In this case, you are all considered main tenants of the flat, i.e. you are all named in the rental contract and have the same rights and obligations. This also means that you are all jointly liable: So if one tenant does not pay the rent, all the others are responsible to the landlord.

It is different if only one person is the primary tenant and the others live in the shared flat as subtenants. This often happens when you move into an existing shared flat. In this case, the primary tenant is solely responsible for ensuring that the rent is paid on time. As a subtenant, you should definitely request a proper subtenancy agreement. This contract should precisely regulate the amount of rent, the rental period, the cancellation period and other rights and obligations.

It is less common in shared flats for all people living there to conclude their separate tenancy agreement with the landlord for their room, and the use of the communal areas (kitchen, bathroom, living room), but such flat shares also exist. The advantage of them is that each tenant is only responsible for their own tenancy agreement. So if one flatmate does not pay the rent, the others are not at a disadvantage.

The landlord decides which of the three options should apply - one primary tenant plus subtenants, every tenant as a primary tenant or having individual tenancy agreements with each tenant.

Good to know: If you receive financial support from the Jobcenter or Social Welfare Office, you must present both your subletting agreement and the primary tenant's tenancy agreement to the office. Many caseworkers also want to see confirmation from the landlord that the primary tenant is authorised to sublet rooms.

Temporary living is a flexible form of accommodation where you rent a flat or room for a limited period. This is particularly practical if you only want to live in one place for a limited time or temporarily need accommodation. There are two primary forms:

- Subletting (“Untermiete”): You rent a room or flat from someone who's main tenant.

- Intermediate rent (“Zwischenmiete”): This is a temporary sublet - often when the primary tenant is temporarily absent (e.g. when living abroad).

Both forms offer flexibility and are a good option if you have not yet found a long-term housing option. In addition, many temporary living options are furnished flats or rooms - so you don't have to search for and transport furniture.

In the case of temporary accommodation, the actual tenant must have permission from the landlord to sublet or let for “Zwischenmiete”. Without this authorisation, temporary accommodation can lead to a so-called “exceptional termination of contract” and possibly termination without notice (außerordentlichen und fristlosen Kündigung). And even in the case of temporary rentals, you should regulate the tenancy terms through a written rental contract.

Please note: If you have concluded a fixed-term rental contract, i.e. you have agreed to a fixed term with your landlord, you cannot usually terminate the tenancy before the end of the term. However, many fixed-term rental contracts are not legally effective. In such a case, you can still terminate the contract within the statutory notice period of 3 months. The Consumer Advice Centre (Verbraucherzentrale) or a tenant protection association can tell you whether your fixed-term rental contract is legally valid. You must first join most tenant protection associations to receive advice and support. As a member, you have to pay a small annual membership fee. You can find a tenant protection association nearby at mieterbund.de.

If you earn little or no money, you are entitled to rent social housing. These flats are cheaper than others because they are subsidised by the state. To rent such a flat, you need a certificate of eligibility for housing (WBS) from the city or municipality where you live. The WBS proves that your income is below a specific limit. You must show the WBS to the landlord at the viewing. You can learn more about the WBS in our chapter ‘WBS’.

Older people in Germany have various housing options that are tailored to their needs. In addition to living in their own home, there are age-appropriate flats that are barrier-free and equipped with safety features. There are also senior residences or assisted living facilities, where care and support services are offered in addition to housing. However, many senior citizens prefer to stay in their familiar surroundings for as long as possible, which can be supported by outpatient care services.

Another option is to live together with others, for example, in a shared flat for senior citizens. The Zuhause im Alter portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Women, Senior Citizens and Youth has summarised the advantages and disadvantages of such housing forms. Further information on living in old age can be found on Caritas’s website.