First Month's Rent - Info for Tenants
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- 1. What does it mean that Wunderflats collects the first month’s rent?
- 2. Do I always pay the first month’s rent through Wunderflats?
- 3. Why do I pay at the time of booking confirmation?
- 4. Is this an extra fee?
- 5. Is my payment safe?
- 6. Can I change my payment method or card details?
- 7. What if there’s a problem when I move in?
- 8. Do I need to pay the landlord anything else?
- 9. What if I need to cancel my booking?
- 10. Will I receive an invoice or receipt for my payment?
- 11. What payment methods can I use for the first month’s rent?
- 12. Can I split the payment for the first month’s rent and the service fee?
- 13. Why did my payment fail and my booking get cancelled?
1. What does it mean that Wunderflats collects the first month’s rent?
When you, as a tenant, confirm a booking on Wunderflats, we ask you to input your payment details. Once the landlord confirms the booking from his side, we will collect the first month’s rent and the Wunderflats service fee using your selected payment method. This confirms your booking and blocks the apartment for you.
2. Do I always pay the first month’s rent through Wunderflats?
Not yet. The new secure payment flow is currently being rolled out and is only active for selected landlords and listings.
If it applies, you’ll pay the first month’s rent directly via Wunderflats at booking confirmation. Otherwise, the payment will still be made directly to the landlord.
It’s clearly shown in each listing, for example:
- Just below the image gallery (look for the specific tag), or
- In the “Payment Overview” section further down the page.
Learn more about the standard payment flow, without the first month’s rent collection.
3. Why do I pay at the time of booking confirmation?
This upfront payment guarantees your apartment is reserved and helps protect your money. It also shows the landlord you’re committed. Wunderflats holds your payment securely and only transfers it to the landlord 48 hours after your rental start date, unless you report an issue within the first 24 hours of your move-in date.
A booking only becomes binding after all three steps are completed:
- The landlord accepts your booking request,
- You confirm the booking,
- The landlord confirms the booking as the final step.
Please note:
Your card will only be charged once the landlord has confirmed the booking.
The Tenant Service Fee becomes non-refundable as soon as you confirm the booking, as it covers the service and support provided by Wunderflats throughout the process.
4. Is this an extra fee?
No. This is not an extra cost. It’s simply the first month’s rent, which you’d normally pay directly to the landlord. You just pay it through Wunderflats for greater security.
5. Is my payment safe?
Yes. Your money is securely held by our payment partner Stripe, a PCI Level 1-certified payment processor. Your data is encrypted and protected.
6. Can I change my payment method or card details?
Yes, you can update your payment method anytime before the landlord confirms the booking. To do so, click “Change” next to your saved payment details in your booking overview. After the landlord confirms, the booking becomes binding, and changes are no longer possible. Please make sure your payment method has enough funds and an available transaction limit to ensure a smooth payment process once the booking is confirmed.
7. What if there’s a problem when I move in?
At Wunderflats, your safety and comfort are our top priorities. If you experience any issues when moving into your new apartment, we’re here to help you quickly and fairly.
You have an issue? We’re here to help.
If you notice something minor, such as a cleanliness problem, missing items, or small discrepancies, please contact your landlord directly first.
In most cases, they can resolve these matters right away.
If you need support or mediation, you can always reach out to our Customer Support Team. We’ll help facilitate communication and ensure your concerns are addressed appropriately.
There is a serious issue? You can report a dispute.
If you face a serious problem that prevents you from moving in or using the apartment as advertised, you can report a dispute.
Examples include:
- The apartment is inaccessible (e.g., the landlord is unreachable, keys unavailable).
- The listing is fraudulent or significantly different from what was advertised.
- The apartment is unsafe or uninhabitable.
How it works:
Before your move-in date:
You will receive a pre-move-in email from Wunderflats. This email includes details on how to report any serious issues and a link to the form for submitting a dispute.
After move-in:
You have 24 hours from your move-in date to submit a dispute through the form linked in that email.
Please include photos or detailed information to help us assess the situation quickly.
While we review your case:
- The landlord’s payout is paused during our investigation.
- Your payment remains secure until the issue is resolved.
If the apartment is confirmed to be fraudulent, inaccessible, or not as advertised, you will receive a full refund of your rent and tenant service fee.
This protection applies only to bookings where the first month’s rent is paid through Wunderflats.
Our Support Team will carefully review your case, contact both sides, and ensure a fair outcome.
Important:
You’ll find the link to submit a dispute in the pre-move-in email from Wunderflats. If you can’t locate that email, search for “Wunderflats move-in” in your inbox or reach out to our Support Team. We’ll make sure you can access the form.
Before You Report
Please report a dispute only for serious issues as described above.
For smaller issues such as cleanliness, missing items, or minor discrepancies, contact your landlord directly or check the table below to see how we handle common situations.
| Situation | What It Means | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Minor cleanliness issues | You notice small things like dust, unclean windows, or leftover dishes. | Contact your landlord directly, or let us know. We’ll step in if you need help arranging a quick clean-up. |
| Small differences in furniture or layout | The apartment looks slightly different, maybe a new sofa or an updated kitchen. | We’ll help confirm that everything functions as promised and help the landlord update the information. |
| Change of plans or personal reasons | Your circumstances change and you no longer need the apartment. | You can cancel under our standard policy. Our team will guide you through the process. |
| Reported after 24 hours | You noticed something after the 24-hour reporting window. | Our Support Team will still review your feedback and coordinate directly with the landlord to find a fair solution. |
| Misunderstanding of listing details | Something in the listing wasn’t clear. For example, you expected a balcony or washing machine that wasn’t included. | Reach out to us anytime before booking if you’re unsure about an amenity. We’re happy to confirm details for you. |
| Personal preferences or impressions | The apartment or area feels different from what you imagined. | We understand that expectations can vary. Your feedback helps us keep listings transparent and accurate. |
| Construction noise or neighborhood conditions | There’s occasional noise or work nearby that the landlord can’t control. | If it’s ongoing or excessive, let us know. We’ll reach out to the landlord and check possible improvements. |
| Small mold spots in bathrooms or windows | You notice small, non-harmful mold spots, common in older buildings. | Inform your landlord so they can clean and ventilate properly. We’ll follow up if it persists. |
| Missing or not-yet-set-up items | A listed amenity (like Wi-Fi or a washing machine) isn’t ready when you arrive. | Contact your landlord to arrange setup. We’ll support communication to make sure it’s resolved quickly. |
8. Do I need to pay the landlord anything else?
While Wunderflats handles your first month’s rent, additional payments, such as the security deposit, final cleaning fee, and any monthly rent beyond the first month, are paid directly to the landlord. Contact information is exchanged once the booking is confirmed, so you’ll know when and how to reach out to the landlord. Make sure to clarify the payment method and timeline in advance.
9. What if I need to cancel my booking?
Once your booking is confirmed, it becomes legally binding. You will need to speak directly with your landlord to reach a mutual agreement. Cancellation fees may apply.
In some cases, landlords may agree to end the booking early if a follow-up tenant is found through Wunderflats. Feel free to contact Wunderflats for support with the process or communication.
10. Will I receive an invoice or receipt for my payment?
Yes, invoices and receipts are available in your “My Bookings page” once the payment is processed.
11. What payment methods can I use for the first month’s rent?
You can pay via the most common methods, including credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
12. Can I split the payment for the first month’s rent and the service fee?
Currently, split payments are not supported. The full amount must be paid in one transaction.
13. Why did my payment fail and my booking get cancelled?
If your payment could not be processed, your booking was automatically cancelled. This usually happens when the payment fails after the landlord confirms the booking.
Please check the following:
- Sufficient funds: Ensure your payment method had enough funds at the time of the charge.
- Transaction limit: Verify that your daily or online transaction limit allowed the payment amount.
- Card validity: Make sure your card has not expired or been blocked by your bank.
- 3D Secure / Strong Customer Authentication (SCA): Some banks require confirmation in your banking app. If this step was missed, the transaction may fail.
If the issue persists, contact your bank to confirm that online or international payments to Wunderflats are allowed. You can then submit a new booking request for the apartment and reach out to our Support Team for assistance.
phone: +49 (0)30 120 86 22 0
email: service@wunderflats.com