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Especially for students

Your room can do more than sit empty

Student and often away for a few days? Your room finances you.

Example calculation

~€100 /month

With 3–4 days/month at €30/night

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How it works

1

Create profile

Photos, description, house rules – done in 10 minutes.

2

Enable dates

Only when YOU're away – full control over your calendar.

3

Instant payout

You receive your money right after booking.

Tip: We can also set up your entire listing for you – for free!

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What you should consider

Legal aspects, insurance and practical tips

General requirements (applies throughout Germany)

Legal & Contractual

Obtain written permission from your landlord/main tenant.

In shared flats: also inform and get consent from your flatmates.

Income tax: declare rental income in your tax return (Annex V in the German income tax declaration).

Insurance

Household contents insurance: inform them in writing about short-term rentals. Covers your belongings against theft/damage by guests. If you don't have one: online insurance with a short-term rental clause costs approx. €5–10/month (e.g. Getsafe, Feather, Clark). Alternative: consistently lock away valuables.

Liability insurance: check whether damages caused by guests during subletting are covered. Important if a guest damages the landlord's property (walls, floors, furniture). Usually €5–8/month for basic coverage.

Apartment preparation

Lock away valuables and personal items.

Provide bed linens and towels.

Perform basic cleaning.

Note down the WiFi credentials.

Organization

Create a price calculation.

Take photos of the apartment.

Formulate house rules.

Organize the key handover.

Example: Aachen-specific requirements

These requirements apply specifically in Aachen. Other cities may have different regulations.

Housing ID (MANDATORY)

Apply via bauportal.nrw.

For students: upload your rental agreement + student certificate.

The housing ID is always required – free for students up to 180 days/year (standard: 90 days); beyond that a paid approval is required.

Take the City of Aachen accommodation tax into account (€2.50 per person per night; children and teenagers under 18 are exempt) and report it to the city quarterly.

Keep an occupancy calendar: register each rental online within 10 days of its start (start/end date only, no guest data).

NRW cities with mandatory housing ID

8 of 397 cities in NRW require a housing ID (as of 2026). Students can rent up to 180 days per year without additional fees.

Aachen

Bonn

Brühl

Cologne

Dortmund

Düsseldorf

Münster

Wesseling

Disclaimer: No guarantee of completeness. Check the requirements for your city.

Questions about the requirements?

We're happy to help:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to ask my landlord?

Yes! You need written permission from your landlord or main tenant.

How much can I charge?

That always depends, of course. As a guideline for a shared-flat room: proportional rent + utilities + cleaning + around 20%. In Aachen usually €25–40/night. If you can rent out your entire apartment, significantly more. We're also happy to help with pricing!

Do I have to pay taxes?

Yes, rental income is taxable (Annex V). Often tax-free with low income due to the basic allowance.

Ready to get started?

Register as a host for free.

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