How do I find a room in Erlangen or Nuremberg without getting scammed?

Finding a room is often the hardest part of moving to Erlangen or Nuremberg. The Studierendenwerk (Student Services) itself says the search is regularly most difficult in the weeks before the winter semester. Start early and keep several options open.

Where to look

1. Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg dorms. It offers a little over 4,000 places of its own (single rooms, shared flats, apartments, family flats). Applications are online only through its housing portal. FAU says there is no guarantee of a place.
2. Studierendenwerk private room service. Free placement of offers from the private market in Erlangen and Nuremberg (Privatzimmervermittlung).
3. Other dorms and private offers. Ask the Studierendenwerk's housing team; they pass on contacts for other subsidised dorms.

Dorm contracts (Studierendenwerk)

• First-time tenants who are new Bachelor or Staatsexamen students can get a contract for six semesters. The page does not state a first-contract length for Master's students, so ask the WohnService.
• Follow-on contracts are limited, and the request has to reach the WohnService at least four months before your contract ends.
• Students coming for up to 12 months (exchange) are admitted through a list from their university, with separate conditions.

Deposit (Kaution)

• The deposit may be at most three months' rent (without operating costs), § 551 BGB.
• You may pay a cash deposit in three monthly instalments, the first at the start of the lease.

Scam warning signs

The Verbraucherzentrale lists these signs of fake flat ads:

• The "landlord" is abroad and wants money (deposit, fee) before a viewing or offers to send the key.