The German Federal Act on Registration obliges the landlord to confirm in writing within 14 days that a new tenant has moved in. The tenant submits this so-called confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) when registering or changing the place of residence at the registration office or the citizens' office. Please download our template for the confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Alternatively, a form for the confirmation can be obtained from the registration office or the citizen's office. The confirmation can also be issued informally; it must contain the following information:

• - Name and address of the landlord and, if he is not the owner, the name of the owner of the apartment
• - Date the tenant moves in
• - Address of the rented apartment
• - Names of all persons moving into the apartment
• - Signature of the landlord

An exception is made if the rented apartment is in an accommodation facility (for example, in an apartment hotel). In this case, tenants who already have an apartment in Germany in which they have registered are not obliged to register with the authorities in this secondary apartment if the rental period is less than 6 months. As soon as their stay exceeds 6 months, they must register with the authorities within 14 days and require a confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from their landlord. An exception also applies to tenants without residence in Germany if they move into an apartment in an accommodation facility: They also do not have to register with the authorities if the rental period is less than 3 months. Only if they stay in the apartment for a longer period of time, they have to register with the authorities within 14 days after the 3 months have expired. For this, they also need a confirmation of residence from their landlord. You can find more information here: Registration (Anmeldung). More information on the landlord's confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) can be found here (in German). Please note: The contents of this page have been created for your information and do not replace legal advice. For legal advice in your specific case, please contact a lawyer.