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Guides→Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
Guide 04 · Landlord Confirmation

What is the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?The one form your landlord must sign.

What it is, who can sign it, how to request it — and exactly what to do if your landlord is difficult.

Fact 01

Your landlord is legally required to sign (§19 BMG). Refusal = fine for them.

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Fact 02

Without it, the Bürgeramt will not register you — but if your landlord is being difficult, there is a workaround.

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Fact 03

Landlord refusing or delaying? Attend with your rental contract — the Bürgeramt accepts the form by email afterwards.

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01 · What it is

A one-page form. Legally required.

The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is mandated by §19 Bundesmeldegesetz. Your landlord confirms in writing that you moved in on a specific date. Without it, the Bürgeramt cannot process your Anmeldung. It is one of three core documents on the full document checklist — the other two being your passport and the completed German-language form.

Form preview — Wohnungsgeberbestätigung · not the complete document
Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
gemäß §19 Bundesmeldegesetz (BMG)
Name des Wohnungsgebers (Vermieter)
Your landlord's full name
Anschrift der Wohnung
Musterstraße 12, 2. OG, 10115 Berlin
Einzugsdatum des Wohnungsnehmers
01.06.2026
Name des Wohnungsnehmers (Mieter)
Your full name
Datum
Unterschrift des Wohnungsgebers
The form contains:your full name, move-in date, full address, and the landlord's signature. But without that signature, you cannot register.
02 · How to request it

Check your move-in documents first.

Most landlords include a signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung in your move-in paperwork automatically. Check your email and any physical documents before doing anything else.

Only if your landlord has not provided it
Download blank template (PDF)
Print · send to landlord · ask them to sign and return
Download →
This is the blank template. ReadyExpat generates a pre-filled version with your name, address, and move-in date as part of the Anmeldung preparation.
Prepare My Anmeldung
Email template
Send this when requesting the form
Subject: Wohnungsgeberbestätigung for Anmeldung Hello [Landlord name], I am moving into [full address] on [DD.MM.YYYY]. To complete my Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt, I need the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung as required by §19 Bundesmeldegesetz. Could you please send me a signed copy of the form? Thank you — please let me know if you need anything from me. Best regards, [Your name]
03 · Who can sign it

Not everyone can be your Wohnungsgeber.

Your landlord (Vermieter)

The property owner or property management company acting on their behalf. This is the standard case for most rental agreements.

Main tenant in a WG (Hauptmieter)

If you are subletting a room, the main tenant on the lease can sign — but only if the landlord has authorised the sublet in writing.

Friends or family (owner)

If you are staying with someone who owns the property, they can sign as Wohnungsgeber. They must be the owner — not another tenant.

Airbnb host / short-term rental

Most short-term accommodation will not provide this form. Some long-term serviced apartments (28+ days) do — confirm before you book if registration timing matters.

04 · If your landlord is difficult

Three scenarios. Three responses.

Landlord refuses outright

Attend your Bürgeramt appointment anyway with your rental contract — the office can register you provisionally and accept the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung by email afterwards. Then report the refusal: it is a regulatory offence under §19 BMG and the landlord faces a fine of up to €1,000. For further action contact the Berliner Mieterverein (Berlin Tenants' Association).

Landlord goes silent

Send a follow-up email citing §19 BMG and the 14-day registration deadline. Keep every message. If your appointment arrives without the form, attend anyway with your rental contract — the Bürgeramt can register you and accept the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung by email afterwards. See section 06 for the full emergency procedure.

Landlord provides it immediately

Most professional landlords and property management companies send the form with your move-in documents. Check your email first — it is often already there. If signed, you are done with this step.

05 · Quick rules

Four things worth knowing.

LEGAL DEADLINE
Landlord has 2 weeks — not longer
The landlord must provide the form within two weeks of your move-in date. This is a legal obligation under §19 BMG — not a favour.
WG / SUBLETS
Main tenant can sign — if authorised
For WG sublets, the main tenant can sign only if the landlord has authorised the sublet in writing. An unauthorised sublet puts both parties at legal risk.
RED FLAG
"I can't sign" may mean unauthorised sublet
If your main tenant says they cannot provide the form, this may indicate the sublet is not officially authorised by the building owner. Get advice for your specific situation.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Request in writing — email only
Request the form in writing — email, not WhatsApp or a phone call. If they later delay or deny, your email is your evidence that you asked.
06 · Emergency situation

Landlord delaying. You need to work now.

If you are a new expat in Germany, your employer may require a Steuer-ID before letting you start work — and you only get a Steuer-ID through Anmeldung. A delayed landlord can therefore block your entire income. Here is the official answer.

Confirmed via 030 115 official hotline
The Bürgeramt has a pragmatic solution
1

Bring your rental contract (Mietvertrag) to the Bürgeramt appointment instead. They will understand the situation and process your Anmeldung.

2

Send the signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung to the Bürgeramt afterwards via email once your landlord finally provides it.

This tip came directly from the official Berlin service hotline 030 115. German bureaucracy can be pragmatic when circumstances demand it — especially for a situation clearly outside your control.
Why this matters more than it seems
Many German employers only allow new staff to start work once they have a Steuer-ID — which you only receive through Anmeldung. A landlord dragging their feet on a single form can delay your entire income. If you are in this situation: call 030 115, explain it, and get your appointment booked immediately.
07 · Subletting situations

Renting a room in a shared flat (WG)?

The main tenant can sign — with conditions

If you are renting a room in a shared flat (WG), the main tenant on the lease can provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. This is the standard situation for WG sublets. However, there is one hard requirement: the landlord must have given written permission for the sublet. Without that authorisation, the main tenant is not legally in a position to act as Wohnungsgeber.

If your main tenant says they cannot provide the form
This may indicate the sublet is not authorised by the building owner — a legal grey area that puts both you and your flatmate at risk. The Bürgeramt will usually still register you if you have other documentary evidence of residence, but this varies by office. Get specific advice for your situation from the Berliner Mieterverein.
08 · Airbnb and short-term rentals

Most short-term hosts will not sign it.

Airbnb · Hotels · Hostels

These hosts will not provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Short-term tourist accommodation is not designed for official registration — most hosts are not equipped or willing to fulfil this legal role.

Serviced apartments (28+ days)

Some long-term serviced apartments do provide the form — but it varies. If registration timing matters to you, ask explicitly before booking: "Können Sie mir eine Wohnungsgeberbestätigung ausstellen?"

Moving from short-term to permanent accommodation?
If you are using short-term accommodation while searching for a flat, you cannot register until you have a permanent address with a landlord who will sign. Plan your Anmeldung timing around your permanent move-in date — not your Airbnb check-in.
09 · Common questions

Quick answers.

What is the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is a one-page form your landlord must sign confirming your move-in date and address. It is legally required under §19 Bundesmeldegesetz and must be presented at your Bürgeramt appointment for the Anmeldung. Without it, the Bürgeramt cannot register you.
Can my rental contract replace the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
In normal circumstances, no — the Bürgeramt requires the signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung specifically. However, if your landlord is deliberately delaying and you urgently need your Anmeldung (for example to get a Steuer-ID to start work), the official 030 115 hotline confirmed you can attend with your rental contract and send the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung by email afterwards. See section 06 on this page for the full procedure.
What if my landlord refuses to sign the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
Attend your Bürgeramt appointment anyway with your rental contract — the office can register you provisionally and accept the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung by email afterwards. Then report the refusal: it is a regulatory offence under §19 BMG and the landlord faces a fine of up to €1,000. For further action contact the Berliner Mieterverein (Berlin Tenants' Association).
Can my flatmate sign the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung in a WG?
Yes, if they are the main tenant on the lease and the landlord has given written permission for the sublet. Without that written authorisation, the main tenant cannot legally act as Wohnungsgeber. If your flatmate says they cannot provide the form, this may indicate the sublet is unauthorised — a legal grey area for both parties.
How long does the landlord have to provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
Under §19 BMG, your landlord must provide the form promptly after your move-in. Since your own registration deadline is 14 days, in practice you need the form within the same window. If your landlord is slow, request it in writing immediately — your email is evidence that you asked. See the full document checklist for what else to prepare at the same time.
What information must the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung contain?
Under §19 BMG, the form must include: (1) the full name of the Wohnungsgeber (landlord or main tenant), (2) the complete address of the property — street, house number, floor or apartment designation, postcode and city, (3) your full name as the person moving in, (4) your exact move-in date (Einzugsdatum), and (5) the signature of the Wohnungsgeber. All fields must be filled — an unsigned form or one with the address missing will not be accepted by the Bürgeramt.
How long is the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung valid?
There is no formal expiry date — the form is a one-time confirmation of a specific move-in event, not a recurring document. However, it must match the move-in date you declare on the Anmeldeformular. If there is a significant gap between the date on the form and your appointment (for example, your appointment was delayed by weeks), the clerk may ask about it but will generally accept it. The key is that the move-in date, address, and names are all consistent across your documents.
My landlord is abroad — can they sign the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung digitally?
There is no official rule prohibiting a digital signature on the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, and in practice the Bürgeramt has accepted forms signed via tools like DocuSign or a typed signature over the form PDF — especially when accompanied by an email from the landlord confirming it. The safest approach if your landlord is abroad: have them sign the PDF digitally and email it back to you, then print it and bring it to your appointment. If the clerk raises questions, the email trail showing the landlord authorised the move-in is strong supporting evidence. When in doubt, call 115 before your appointment to confirm what your specific office will accept.
The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is one document. The form is another.

ReadyExpat handles the Anmeldeformular for you.

All 54 fields in correct German — dates, translations, format. You focus on getting your landlord to sign. We handle the rest.

Prepare My Anmeldung
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03 · Document Checklist
This page is for general information only. Appointment availability and slot release schedules change regularly. Always verify at service.berlin.de or the city you are registering at.