In Germany, renting a room in a shared apartment (WG – Wohngemeinschaft) is often not just about money — it’s about fit.
Flatmates usually choose who they live with.
Your first message determines whether you get invited to a viewing.
Why Your Message Matters
In competitive cities, one WG listing can receive:
• 50–200 messages
If your message is:
• Generic
• Too short
• Copy-pasted
It will likely be ignored.
Your goal is simple:
Show that you read the listing and that you are a good match.
Structure of a Strong WG Message
A good message usually includes:
1. Short introduction
2. Reason for moving
3. Study/work information
4. Lifestyle details
5. Move-in date and duration
6. Polite closing
Keep it clear and structured — not too long, not too vague.
What to Include
1. Basic Introduction
• Name
• Age
• Nationality (optional)
• Field of study or job
Example:
“I’m a 24-year-old Master’s student in Mechanical Engineering starting at TU Munich this October.”
2. Why You’re Interested
Reference the listing:
• Location
• Atmosphere
• Shared interests
This shows you actually read the ad.
3. Lifestyle Information
Flatmates care about:
• Cleanliness
• Work schedule
• Social habits
• Smoking/non-smoking
• Hobbies
Be honest. Compatibility matters more than perfection.
4. Duration & Availability
State clearly:
• When you can move in
• How long you plan to stay
Uncertainty reduces your chances.
What NOT to Do
Avoid:
• “Is this still available?”
• One-line messages
• Sending CV-style documents immediately
• Overly personal details
• Copy-paste templates without adaptation
Short messages signal low effort.
Tone Matters
German WG culture values:
• Directness
• Clarity
• Respect
Be friendly, but not overly dramatic.
Professional, but not formal like a job application.
Example Template
Hello [Name],
My name is [Name], I’m [age] and I’ll be starting my [program/job] in [city] this semester. I saw your listing and really liked the location and the atmosphere you described.
I’m tidy, non-smoking, and used to sharing apartments. During the week I focus on [studies/work], but I also enjoy cooking together or occasional movie nights.
I’m planning to move in from [date] and would ideally stay for [duration]. I’d be happy to join a viewing — online or in person.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Name]
German version:
Hallo [Name],
ich heiße [Name], bin [Alter] Jahre alt und beginne ab [Monat] [mein Studium/meine Arbeit] in [Stadt]. Ich habe eure Anzeige gelesen und finde besonders die Lage und die Beschreibung eurer WG sehr sympathisch.
Kurz zu mir: Ich bin ordentlich, Nichtraucher/in und habe bereits in einer WG gewohnt. Unter der Woche bin ich meistens mit [Studium/Arbeit] beschäftigt, aber ich koche gerne und würde mich freuen, ab und zu etwas gemeinsam zu unternehmen.
Ich könnte ab dem [Datum] einziehen und plane, für [Dauer] zu bleiben. Gerne würde ich euch bei einer Besichtigung persönlich oder online kennenlernen.
Ich freue mich auf eure Rückmeldung.
Viele Grüße
[Name]
If You Don’t Get Replies
This is normal.
Improve:
• Personalization
• Response speed
• Profile completeness
In large cities, persistence is part of the process.
WG applications are part housing search, part social fit evaluation. –Effort and clarity significantly improve response rates.
