Wohnungsgeberbestätigung: the landlord's confirmation for your Anmeldung

Who needs it

Mandatory for everyone who registers a new home with the Anmeldung. The rule is § 19 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG).

The confirmation comes from the Wohnungsgeber: the person or company that lets you use the home. That is:

• the landlord or the property management (Hausverwaltung), if you rent directly;
• the main tenant (Hauptmieter), if you sublet a room or flat;
• the owner, if you live in a home they provide, including family or friends;
• you yourself, if you own and live in the property (check your city's form for this case).

A person the Wohnungsgeber has authorised, such as a letting agent, may also sign. Nobody else may issue it.

When

The Wohnungsgeber must confirm your move-in within two weeks of the move-in date, the same deadline as your Anmeldung. In practice, ask for it when you get the keys so you can book your registration straight away.

What you need

The confirmation must contain:

• name and address of the Wohnungsgeber, and the owner's name if the Wohnungsgeber is not the owner (for example, in a sublet);
• the move-in date (Einzugsdatum);
• the address of the home;
• the names of everyone moving in who must register.

It must be in writing and signed. Most cities publish a ready-made template. Downloading your city's version is easiest, but a self-written confirmation is accepted if it has all the details above. Some landlords can also confirm electronically to the registration office. They then give you a code to use when you register.

How to do it

1. Download the template from your city's website, or ask the landlord for theirs. Many letting agents and housing companies send it automatically.
2. Give the landlord the details they need: full names of everyone moving in and the move-in date. You are legally required to provide this information.
3. Check it before you leave: correct names, correct flat address (including floor or flat number if the building has many units), move-in date, signature.
4. Bring the original to your Anmeldung. For the online registration, you upload a scan or photo instead. Upload the confirmation itself, not your rental contract.

What happens afterwards

The registration office keeps the confirmation. It can later ask the owner or Wohnungsgeber who lives or lived in the home. You don't need to do anything else. Keep a copy for your records.

Common problems

My landlord refuses to give me a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. What can I do?

Tell the registration office immediately. The law requires this, and it protects you. The office can then contact the landlord. A landlord who does not confirm on time commits an offence and can be fined up to €1,000. Keep emails or messages showing that you asked.

Can I register without the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

Often, yes, but only for now. Many offices let you register and hand in the confirmation later. In Munich, for example, you sign a declaration and have two weeks to send it in. If you still don't hand it in, fine and penalty proceedings can follow.

I sublet a room. Who signs?

The main tenant who sublets to you. They are your Wohnungsgeber. Because they are not the owner, the form must also name the owner of the flat.

My landlord lives abroad or is hard to reach. Can the property manager sign?

Yes. A person the Wohnungsgeber authorises, such as the Hausverwaltung or a letting agent, can sign on their behalf.

Someone offers to "sell" me an address for my Anmeldung. Is that OK?

No. Offering an address to someone who does not actually live there is illegal, with fines of up to €50,000. Issuing a confirmation when you are not the Wohnungsgeber or authorised by them is also an offence. The person registering at a false address can be fined too.

Does it matter which move-in date is on it?

Yes. Use the day you actually moved in, not the contract start date. Your two-week Anmeldung deadline runs from that day.

Costs

There is no official fee. Confirming your move-in is a legal duty of the Wohnungsgeber.