Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Cologne can be a long and tedious process. To make this easier, you can also book our guest room or the guest house for a limited period of time.

Housing Market

Shared Apartments (WGs)

Many students in Cologne live in shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaften or WGs) as a more affordable alternative to dorms or private rentals. In a WG, you rent a furnished or unfurnished room and share the kitchen and bathroom with roommates. This option is usually cheaper than renting alone and a great way to meet new people. Start your search early.

Private Apartments

Renting your own apartment offers more privacy but comes with challenges. Most apartments in Germany are unfurnished (and without a kitchen), landlords prefer long-term tenants, and furnished options are rare and expensive. Rental prices vary by location, transport access, and amenities.

(To get an idea of current rental prices in Cologne, you can consult the rent index online.)

Search Process

Several online platforms can help you find an apartment in Germany. (Links to housing websites are listed below)
At the same time, many postdocs and PhD students at the MPIPZ are here on a temporary basis. You can reach out to your departmental contact person or the International Office to let them know that you are looking for accommodation. They may have information about available apartments after staff members move out.

www.immobilienscout.de
www.studenten-wg.de/
www.immowelt.de
www.wg-gesucht.de/
www.immonet.de/

Note: in adverts, 3-room apartment means 2 bedrooms and 1 living room.

Viewing Appointments and Landlord Expectations: Upon finding a suitable apartment, contact the landlord or agent immediately to arrange a viewing, as the Cologne rental market is competitive. During the viewing, landlords typically ask about your intended length of stay and financial stability. Providing a confirmation letter from your employer can serve as proof of income and may strengthen your application.

Security Deposit: It's common in Germany to pay a security deposit of two to three months' rent. This deposit, along with the first month's rent, is usually paid before moving in. Upon moving out, you will receive your deposit back, minus any costs for repairs or renovations, if specified in the tenant agreement.

Furnishings: Most flats in Germany are rented unfurnished, often without built-in kitchen units, appliances, or cupboards. It is therefore advisable to include kitchen fittings and other furnishings in your budgeting. However, some furnished apartments are available, often for short-term leases and at higher rental rates.

Utilities: Rental agreements vary in terms of utilities. Water is usually included in the rent, but electricity and gas must be contracted separately after moving in. It is important to check with the landlord which utilities are included to avoid unexpected expenses.

Payment Precautions: To avoid potential scams, never transfer money before meeting the landlord, signing a contract, or receiving the apartment keys.
By adhering to these guidelines and thoroughly reviewing your rental contract, you can navigate the Cologne housing market more effectively.

Housing Scams: Housing scams are not uncommon. Please pay particular attention to the following points when looking at online offers:

• The address does not exist.
• The landlord is not from Germany and/or does not live in Germany.
• The monthly rent is well below the market average.
• You are being asked to pay the rent or fee from abroad. In Germany, you pay the rent once you have signed a written agreement, never before. In rare cases, you may be asked to pay a few months’ rent in advance, but you should ensure that this is part of a serious and legitimate offer.
• The landlord refuses to video-chat with you.

For tenant protection, following online sources are available:

• The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) website or Cologne police for scam warnings.
• Wohnen in Köln (City Housing Office) for legal tenant protections (available in German).

Location of the Max Planck Institute (MPIPZ)

The Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research is located to the west of Cologne city center, in the Lindenthal district, subdistrict of Widdersdorf. When looking for accommodation, it is helpful to know which neighborhoods are closest to the institute. The institute is located on a working farm, the nearest tram and bus stops (e.g., Linie 1 or 145/149) are not directly adjacent and require walking or cycling.

The areas closest to the institute are:
Widdersdorf, Vogelsang, Bickendorf, Ehrenfeld, Braunsfeld, Müngersdorf, Junkersdorf, Weiden and Lövenich.
 

MPIPZ Guest Rooms and Guest House

For your first days in Germany, you may also ask to rent an MPIPZ guest room for a maximum of 6 months. If you plan to stay for a longer period and will be searching for your own accommodation, the guest house can be booked for an initial period of three months. Please contact the Guest House Administrator or your departmental office for booking and price enquiries.

In certain months (e.g. September/ October) the demand is quite high, so please contact us well in advance. Prices vary according to the length of stay.
If you are staying in an MPIPZ guest room, the key to your room is deposited at the Institute’s front gate, unless you have made other arrangements with your contact person.