What Is a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (literally "housing provider confirmation") is a document your landlord must sign to confirm that you have moved into their property. It is required by German law — specifically Section 19 of the Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz, or BMG) — and you cannot complete your Anmeldung (address registration) without it.

Think of it as your landlord's official statement to the government: "Yes, this person lives at this address, and I confirm it." The document was introduced in 2015 to combat fake registrations (Scheinanmeldungen), which had become a serious problem in German cities.

In English, it is commonly called the landlord confirmation, housing provider confirmation, or landlord certificate. You may also see it referred to by its abbreviation WGB in some guides, though this is informal.

Why You Need It

Without a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, the Bürgeramt (citizens' office) will turn you away. It does not matter if you have your passport, your rental contract, and the registration form filled out perfectly. No Wohnungsgeberbestätigung means no Anmeldung — period.

This is the number one reason Anmeldung appointments get wasted. People wait weeks for a Bürgeramt appointment, show up prepared, and then get sent home because they are missing this one document. Do not let that happen to you.

Important: Your landlord is legally required to provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Under Section 19(1) BMG, the housing provider must confirm the move-in of a tenant in writing. Refusing to do so is an administrative offense that can result in a fine. More on this below.

The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung also protects you. It establishes an official paper trail that you live at a specific address, which matters for everything from opening a bank account to applying for a residence permit. Without proper registration, you are effectively invisible to the German system.

What Is on the Form

The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is a one-page form. While the exact layout varies slightly by city, every version contains the same core information required by law. Here is a field-by-field breakdown:

  1. Name des Wohnungsgebers / Name of the housing provider — Your landlord's full legal name. If the landlord is a company (e.g., a property management firm), the company name and the name of the authorized representative go here.
  2. Anschrift des Wohnungsgebers / Address of the housing provider — Your landlord's personal or business address (not the apartment address).
  3. Name der meldepflichtigen Person(en) / Name of the person(s) registering — Your full name as it appears in your passport. If multiple people are moving in (e.g., a couple), all names go here.
  4. Einzugsdatum / Move-in date — The actual date you moved into the apartment. This must match what you write on the Anmeldeformular.
  5. Anschrift der Wohnung / Address of the apartment — The full address: street name and number, floor (Etage), apartment position (links/rechts/mitte), postal code, and city.
  6. Unterschrift des Wohnungsgebers / Signature of the housing provider — Your landlord's handwritten signature and the date of signing.

Pro tip: The form is entirely in German. If your landlord does not speak German (for example, if they manage the property remotely), you can fill out the form yourself and just have them review and sign it. The critical part is the signature — the rest can be filled in by anyone.

Some city forms also include a field for Auszugsdatum (move-out date of the previous tenant), but this is optional and often left blank.

Where to Get the Template

The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung template is available for free on every city's official website. Here are direct sources for Germany's largest cities:

  • Berlin: Download from service.berlin.de — search for "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung"
  • Munich: Available at muenchen.de under Bürgerbüro forms
  • Hamburg: Download from hamburg.de — search for "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" in the service portal
  • Cologne: Available at stadt-koeln.de under Bürgeramt downloads
  • Frankfurt: Download from frankfurt.de under Bürgeramt forms

The form varies slightly by city — different logos, different layouts, sometimes slightly different field arrangements — but the required information is always the same. You can technically use any city's template for any Bürgeramt, or even create your own document from scratch, as long as it includes all the legally required fields listed above.

Pro tip: Some cities accept any format as long as it contains the required information from Section 19 BMG. But to avoid any hassle, use the official template from the city where you are registering. This way, the Bürgeramt clerk will instantly recognize the form.

If you are searching online, you might see terms like Wohnungsgeberbestätigung Vorlage (template), Wohnungsgeberbestätigung Muster (sample), or Wohnungsgeberbestätigung PDF Download. These all refer to the same form. Stick to official city websites rather than third-party downloads to ensure you have the current version.

Special Cases

Not everyone rents directly from a landlord. Here is who provides the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung in different living situations.

WG (Shared Apartment / Wohngemeinschaft)

This is the most common situation for students. In a WG, the answer depends on how your lease is structured:

  • If one person holds the main lease (Hauptmieter): The main tenant provides the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung for all subtenants. The main tenant acts as the "Wohnungsgeber" (housing provider) in this case.
  • If all WG members are on the main lease: The landlord provides the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung directly to each tenant.

Pro tip: If you are moving into a WG, ask about the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung before you sign anything. A good Hauptmieter will know exactly what this is and provide it quickly. If they have never heard of it, that could be a red flag.

Subletting (Untermieter)

If you are subletting, the person who sublets to you — usually the main tenant — provides the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. They are legally considered the housing provider for your sublet arrangement.

In some cases, the actual landlord (property owner) may be willing to sign it instead. Either is acceptable, but the main tenant is the default responsible party.

Airbnb or Temporary Accommodation

Yes, even Airbnb hosts must provide a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung if you plan to register at that address. In practice, many Airbnb hosts are reluctant to do this because they may not have permission to sublet, or they do not want a registered tenant at their property.

If you are staying in temporary accommodation while searching for a permanent apartment, ask the host upfront whether they will provide a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Get this in writing before you book.

Hotel or Hostel

Hotels and hostels can provide a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung if you are staying long enough to need registration. The hotel management acts as the housing provider. This can be a useful stopgap if you need to register your address quickly but have not yet found permanent housing.

Living with Family or Friends

If you are moving in with a family member or friend who owns or rents the apartment, they provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. The person who holds the lease (or owns the property) is the housing provider, even if they are your parent, sibling, or partner.

What If Your Landlord Will Not Sign?

This happens more often than it should, and it is illegal. Under Section 19(1) BMG, landlords are required to provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Failing to do so — or providing false information on the form — is an Ordnungswidrigkeit (administrative offense) that can result in a fine of up to 1,000 euros for the landlord.

If your landlord refuses, here is what to do, step by step:

  1. Remind them of the legal obligation. Many landlords, especially private ones, simply do not know about the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung requirement. Send them the relevant law (Section 19 BMG) and a blank template. A polite, informative email often resolves the issue.
  2. Put the request in writing. If a verbal request was ignored, send a formal written request (email is fine) asking for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Keep a copy for your records. This creates a paper trail.
  3. Contact the Bürgeramt for advice. Your local Bürgeramt can advise you on next steps. In some cities, you can still register without the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung if you can prove you made a good-faith effort to obtain it. The Bürgeramt may contact the landlord directly.
  4. As a last resort, report the landlord. You can file a complaint with your local Ordnungsamt (public order office). They can issue a fine to the landlord for refusing to comply. This is rare, but it is your legal right.

Important: Never accept a fake or forged Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Providing false registration information is a criminal offense for both the landlord and the tenant. If someone offers to "sell" you a confirmation for an address where you do not live, walk away.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the right form and a cooperative landlord, things can go wrong. Here are the most common mistakes that cause problems at the Bürgeramt:

  • Wrong move-in date. The date on the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung must match the date on your Anmeldeformular. If your landlord writes a different date than the one you put on the registration form, the clerk will flag it.
  • Missing signature. A Wohnungsgeberbestätigung without a signature is worthless. Make sure your landlord actually signs the form — a typed name is not enough.
  • Wrong address format. German addresses follow a specific format: street name + house number, then apartment details (floor, left/right/middle). Make sure the address on the form matches your actual apartment exactly, including any apartment-specific details.
  • Landlord using an old template. Forms change occasionally. If your landlord provides a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from several years ago, the Bürgeramt might not accept it. Always use the current version from your city's website.
  • Digital signature issues. Some Bürgeramt clerks insist on a physical ("wet") signature. If your landlord is abroad and can only provide a digital signature, call your Bürgeramt ahead of time to confirm they will accept it.
  • Name mismatch. Your name on the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung must exactly match your passport. If your landlord misspells your name or uses a nickname, the clerk may reject it.
  • Bringing a copy instead of the original. Some Bürgerämter want the original signed document, not a photocopy or scan. When in doubt, bring the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

A Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is a landlord confirmation form required by German law (Section 19 BMG) for address registration (Anmeldung). Your landlord or housing provider must sign this document to confirm that you have moved into the apartment. Without it, the Bürgeramt will not process your registration.

Can my landlord refuse to give me a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

No. Under German law, landlords are legally obligated to provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Refusing to do so can result in a fine of up to 1,000 euros for the landlord. If your landlord refuses, remind them of the legal requirement, put the request in writing, and contact your Bürgeramt for further assistance.

Who provides the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung in a WG?

In a WG (shared apartment), the main tenant (Hauptmieter) whose name is on the lease typically provides the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung for subtenants. If all tenants are listed on the main lease, the landlord provides it directly to each person.

Where can I download a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung template?

You can download the official template for free from your city's website. Berlin provides it at service.berlin.de, Munich at muenchen.de, and Hamburg at hamburg.de. The form varies slightly by city but always contains the same required information.

Does the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung need to be in German?

The official form is in German, and the Bürgeramt expects a German-language document. There is no strict law requiring a specific language, but using the official German template from your city's website is the safest and fastest option. It avoids any confusion or delays at your appointment.

Can I use a digital or electronic signature on the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

This depends on your local Bürgeramt. Some offices accept scanned or digitally signed forms, while others insist on an original wet signature. If your landlord cannot sign in person (for example, if they live abroad), call your Bürgeramt ahead of time to ask what they will accept.

Need Help with Your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

Every housing situation is different. Maybe you are in a WG and the Hauptmieter does not know what a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is. Maybe your landlord is a property management company and you cannot get anyone on the phone. Maybe you are subletting from someone who is subletting from someone else.

Whatever your situation, our AI assistant can help. hallostu gives you verified answers sourced directly from German law — with inline citations so you can trust every answer.

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