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New to Düsseldorf? Looking for an apartment (or as many Europeans say: “a flat”)? Well, the easiest part about finding an apartment is sourcing a reputable website to start looking for.

While there are a few English-language websites that offer apartment rentals in Düsseldorf, you may often notice that they’re charging more for their rentals. Why? Well, they’re catering to expats and English-speaking internationals, why not?

If you want to find an apartment in Düsseldorf and pay the same price as a local, then you’re going to need to start searching for an apartment in the German language. But, fear not! It’s quite easy to do so when you’ve learned a few words of rental vocabulary, which I’ll get you started on after I share with you a list of the best websites to start searching for your dream apartment.

TIP: We know that finding an apartment doesn’t always come easy and to top it all off, you’re legally required to register in the city you move to within 14 days upon your arrival. If you’re struggling to find a permanent apartment consider renting a short-term fully finished apartment that will allow you to register in the city and then start on the longer-term hunt when you get here and have a bit more time to do the research.

Before you start searching for apartments, you’ll need to figure out…

Whether you’re looking for a furnished flat or a non-furnished flat
Exactly which neighborhood is right for you (and perhaps your family)
Know where the best student neighborhoods are (if you’re a student and looking for a young and trendy area)
And of course, know the important facts about renting a flat before you start contacting landlords

If you’d like to get a headstart on preparation, you can already start comparing electricity providers, picking out which internet contract might be best for you, and making sure you have a bank account set up to start paying rent.

The best websites for apartment rentals

Search Engine	Website Link
HousingAnywhere	www.housinganywhere.com (great for short-term rentals if you need to register in the city)
HomeLike	www.thehomelike.com (great for short-term rentals if you need to register in the city)
WunderFlats	www.wunderflats.com (great for short-term rentals if you need to register in the city)
ImmobilienScout24	www.immobilienscout24.de
Engel & Völkers	www.engelvoelkers.com
Ebay Kleinanzeigen	www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/stadt/duesseldorf/
Immowelt	www.immowelt.de
Immonet	www.immonet.de
Kalaydo	www.kalaydo.de/immobilien/
Immobilio	http://www.immobilo.de
WohnungJetzt	https://www.wohnung-jetzt.de

The best social media sites to find apartment rentals

Facebook Group	Group Link
Facebook Marketplace	www.facebook.com/marketplace/111271915564523/
Düsseldorf Flea Market	www.facebook.com/groups/DusseldorfFleaMarket/
Life in Düsseldorf Expat & Local Community Group	www.facebook.com/groups/lifeindus/
Expats in Düsseldorf	www.facebook.com/groups/532311100124419/
English Speaking Expat Düsseldorf	www.facebook.com/groups/205159336220824/
Düsseldorf Expat Forum	www.facebook.com/groups/577965962243445/

The best websites for student apartment rentals

Search Engine	Website Link
WG-Sucht	www.wg-gesucht.de
Studenten-WG	www.studenten-wg.de
Uniplaces	www.uniplaces.com

Learning the rental vocabulary

Once you’ve found yourself a few apartments you’d like to take a look at, you’ll need to contact the landlord or rental company to inquire about viewing the apartment (now would be a good time to ask if someone speaks English who might be able to help you, or better yet, bring a German along)!

German Word	English Translation	Definition
WG	Communal living	A shared accommodation/Wohngemeinschaft in which every tenant has their own room, but shared common rooms (kitchen, bathroom, living room).
Kaltmiete	Cold rent	The cost of the living space without additional costs added (essentially what the apartment would cost cold, without running water, electricity, etc.)
Warmmiete	Rent including heating	The cost of the living space with heating (this often excludes electricity and the internet – you will likely have to organize these costs yourself).
Nebenkosten	Additional costs	The costs of all the additional expenses that you add on top of the cold rent fee.
Preis	Price	–
Zimmer (Zi.)	Room(s)	–
Wohnfläche	Size of living area	–
Umkreis	Distance/perimeter	The perimeter (in km) you are willing to look for a living space.
Fahrzeit	Drive time	–
Mieten	Renting	–
Kaufen	Buying	–
Wohnung	Apartment	–
Bezugsfrei ab…	Vacant from…	The date that the living space will become available.
Einbauküche	Built-in kitchen	Most apartments come without a kitchen, so if you read “mit Einbauküche”, then the apartment will come with the kitchen.
Etage (.OG)	Floor level	The floor level in which the apartment is located on the ground floor is (EG) the first floor up is 1 OG., the second floor up is 2 OG., etc.
Altbau	Old building	–
Neubau	Newly built	–
Erdgeschoss (EG)	Ground floor	–
Stellplatz	Parking space	–
Vollmöblierte	Fully furnished	–