Flat search in Hamburg
Here you will find all relevant landlords, tools and tips for your flat search in Hamburg.
Where and how you can search
Platforms
25 platformsAn overview of the largest property portals for flats to rent, plus applicant platforms, aggregator websites and flat swaps.
Landlords
90 landlords and residencesHousing cooperatives, state-owned housing companies and property managers rent out their flats themselves, through their own listing pages, waiting lists and memberships.
Tools
12 toolsHelpful tools for your search: bots tell you about new listings, and auto-apply tools also send requests for you.
Tips
Check whether you can get a WBS (Wohnberechtigungsschein).
In Hamburg the WBS, a certificate that lets you rent subsidised flats, is also called §5-Schein. In 2025 SAGA let about 3,800 flats to households with a §5-Schein and to people in urgent need of housing (as of 2025). Processing can take weeks, so it is best to apply early.
Find out about housing cooperatives.
About one in seven flats in Hamburg belongs to a housing cooperative (as of 2022). Many give flats to their members first, often through a search profile on Immomio. In return, you usually pay less than on the market, and nobody can end your contract to move in themselves (Eigenbedarf).
Register with SAGA.
SAGA currently offers vacant flats only to people registered on Immomio. It picks at random who gets an offer. Your search is valid for 3 months and can be extended.
Speed matters.
On the portals, the first to ask often gets the flat. A search alert on the large portals costs nothing. There are now also bots that watch several portals at once and tell you about new listings.
Have your documents ready from the start.
After the first contact, you quickly need a Selbstauskunft (a form about you for the landlord: job, income, household), payslips, a Mietschuldenfreiheitsbestätigung (a letter from your current landlord saying you owe no rent) and a credit report.
Do not pay anything in advance.
Reputable landlords do not ask for money for a viewing, keys or a reservation. The deposit is only due when the tenancy starts.
Get advice on questions about your rent.
If your income is low, the Öffentliche Rechtsauskunft (ÖRA), the city's public legal advice office, also advises on tenancy law, by appointment only. Advice costs €5 to €15 (as of 2026).
If you are a student, have a look at our tips for students.
There you will find student residences, platforms for students and what you can do before the semester starts.
Use the moving checklist.
The moving checklist shows you all the important tasks for your move. You can tick them off step by step, from the flat search to moving in.