Is it possible to rent an apartment in Berlin

[Eden2]

I read this article http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/airbnb-rentals-berlin-germany-tourist-ban-fines-restr...

[Marit-Anne0]

If there are listings you can rent them.  But expect that listings can be taken down at short notice and your reservation cancelled, then what ? You would need to have a plan B.

[Sharon114]

I would be very careful.  I read a couple of months ago that the authorities in Berlin had put a ban on whole of property renting through airbnb for holiday type lets.  They will impose a fine of up to 1OO,OOO euros on property owners who defy this ban.  There was a tv program last night in the UK which stated exactly the same thing.  I also read, but have not heard anything further, that some areas of Paris are looking to impose something similar.

The problem seems to be that many landlords are no longer renting their properties to local families and long term tenants, instead they are looking to maximise their profits through airbnb and similar agencies.  As I understand it, there is no restriction on renting our rooms in the home you live in.

If there are listings for whole properties in Berlin, you might want to think carefully about booking.

[Eden2]

thank you for your comment

we are 4 guys and we want to rent entire house - according to your suggestion we need to rent only rooms?

thanks again

[Zandra0 · Accepted solution]

You need to ask the host if they have the right licence to list a whole property (some do!) otherwise what they're doing is illegal and you run the risk of it being shutdown before your arrival.

[Marcus0]

No Berlin Airbnb host has a "license".  Some may have an exemption via a loophole, court case or just renting out a room in the apartment, but the majority of Airbnb listings in Berlin of whole apartments are illegal.  Many hosts think they can stay under the radar but in the end, for quite a few a fine will arrive in their mailbox, even more so if they never registered their property as a Ferienwohnung with the local council a few years back.

[Marcus0]

@Eden2 judging by your question, you would be completely illegal no matter what you do unless you rent out the property minimum 2 months at a time with proper rental leases in place (not just airbnb booking). 

[Michael533]

Does anyone know where owners can go to register for the Fereinwohnung licence ? 

[Marit-Anne0]

@Michael533

I think you should direct your question to the town hall or maybe there is a Facebook group for Berlin hosts ?

Berlin forum

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Berlin/ct-p/berlin

[Marcus0]

@Michael There is no such thing as a Ferienwohnung license.

If you want to attempt to continue short term letting you should contact a specialist lawyer for possible options.