flatways
City: Berlin

Moving checklist

Here you can tick off the important tasks for your move step by step, from the flat search to moving in.

Flat search

  • Get a credit reportThe credit report should not be older than 3 months and should be ready by the viewing at the latest.

As soon as you get the flat

  • Give notice on your old flat in timeMind the notice period (usually 3 months) and best send it by registered post. Make sure that all tenants named in the contract sign it.
  • Set the moving dateTip: moving house in the middle of the week is cheaper than at the weekend.
  • Sort out the deposit: cash or guarantee?With a deposit guarantee you do not need to pay a deposit. In return you pay an ongoing fee that you do not get back.
  • Move your internet connectionStart early: setting it up often takes several weeks. It may be worth switching provider.

Organisation

about 6 to 8 weeks before the move

  • Book a moving company or rent a vanIt is worth comparing several offers.
  • Apply for a no-parking zone for moving dayYou can apply for it at the public order office (Ordnungsamt) or order it from a service. Services also take care of the road signs. Some moving companies do this for you.
  • Get moving boxes and packing material

Registration and contracts

about 2 to 4 weeks before the move

  • Move your electricity and gas contractsYou can register and cancel without meter readings and send them in later. It may be worth switching provider.
  • Update or take out contents insuranceChanges to where you live and to the size of your home affect the premium and must be reported. It may be worth switching provider.
  • Set up mail forwardingThe Nachsendeservice of Deutsche Post.

Moving in and afterwards

moving day plus 2 weeks

  • Hand over the old flat and take over the new one with a written record, note the meter readingsTake photos of the condition and of the meter readings.
  • Get the WohnungsgeberbestätigungA form in which your landlord confirms that you have moved in. You need it to register your address.
  • Register your new address: required within 14 daysRequired by law, at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office), in Hamburg at Hamburg Service vor Ort. It is best to book an appointment online in advance.
  • Tell your bank, employer, authorities and subscriptions your new address