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Understanding Your Mietvertrag (Rental Contract) in Germany
Document Checklist
SCHUFA-Auskunft
SCHUFA credit report
Where to get: Online at meineschufa.de (free once per year) or Postbank branch (EUR 29.95 for instant copy)
Required: Original, dated within last 3 months
Cost: EUR 0 (annual free copy) or EUR 29.95 (instant)
New arrivals won't have a SCHUFA score. Request one anyway — a blank report is better than none. Some landlords accept alternative proof of creditworthiness
Proof of income
Where to get: Last 3 payslips from employer, or employment contract showing salary
Required: Copies
Cost: Free
Most landlords want proof that your income is at least 3x the warm rent (Warmmiete). If you're new and don't have payslips yet, your employment contract works
Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung
Previous landlord reference (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung)
Where to get: Request from your previous landlord
Required: Original or copy
Cost: Free
Confirms you have no rental debt. If you're moving from abroad, a reference letter from your previous landlord in English is acceptable. Not all landlords require this
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