25 Feb 2025
Sometimes it is challenging to look for affordable housing in a foreign country; for instance, the Senegalese immigrants and expatriates seeking accommodation in Germany. Being one of the leading economies of Europe, Germany has many choices in store for a property seeker, but the rental deals can be baffling. Suppose you are migrating for a new job, education, or even better living standards. In that case, it will be very important to research the housing market in Germany, as well as the laws and budgeting to send money to Senegal from Germany.
Germany is considered to be a major rental nation, as every 1 ½ to 2 people is a renter, meaning that about 54% of German citizens rent their homes. Major cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt have relatively affordable rents because of a large flow of expatriates, students, and job hunters. This is because, depending on the city and more so the district, house rents could be high, especially in the central business district. Data from Statista showed that one will pay approximately € 1,100 for a one-bedroom apartment in Berlin and € 1,400 in Munich for the same.
Germany has social housing programs (Sozialwohnung) for the working poor and other needy residents, including low-income families. Depending on your income status, then you may be offered an opportunity to pay for your apartment equally. Social housing includes general need housing, affordable rent housing, special needs housing, and interim and temporary housing, and the requirements for obtaining this housing depend on the state, although one is required to apply for the “Wohnberechtigungsschein” (WBS) certificate to qualify for renting any of this housing.
It may take some time to be approved, but such programs assist the newcomers to source affordable house rents. You should also bear in mind that an online money transfer from Germany to Senegal can also be made more affordable if one has to select the right transfer method that can enable one to support his/her family back in Senegal as they accord with the German culture.
Fortunately, you can find a lot of information on the internet when it comes to housing for low-income families. Apartments are sought primarily on websites like Immobilienscout24 or WG-Gesucht and other similar sites that locals and expats use to search for rooms in a shared flat, such as Immowelt. Through these platforms, prospective renters get to sort their preferred properties according to their budget, choice of area, and other special preferences such as proximity to bus terminals or schools.
Read more: Understanding the Trends in Remittances from Germany to Senegal.
In big cities, especially when it comes to paying rent, it is not uncommon to live in a Wohngemeinschaft or WG. This kind of accommodation provides a dwelling unit that comes with a temporary apartment for other tenants intending to cut the overhead cost of rent. Students and young professionals are the major users of WGs. For Senegalese individuals who travel to Germany for education and lower or entry-level jobs, this may be a very cheap way of living in the cities without spending much money.
While moving to rent in Germany, one has to consider not only the amount of the rent but also some other charges, which include heating, light, and water bills, and security deposits. In most cases, landlords demand a security deposit equivalent to rent for three months,, which is expensive. However, most of the apartments are let out unfurnished in Germany, and this means that you will have to find money for the furniture and some of the household appliances.
This is particularly the case given that, as you find your feet in Germany, in order to send money from Germany to Senegal can continue to be an important undertaking. Fortunately, the market provides a great number of money transfer services that work fast and for reasonable prices to accomplish the task. Competition with services giving rates lower for online money transfers and to Senegal will allow you to save money.
The rental laws in Germany favor tenants, thus offering great protection for anyone who chooses to rent instead of owning a house. It is crucial to be aware of your rights and responsibilities, such as rent changes, lease agreements, and repair responsibilities. Families are entitled to a living space in good repair, and changes in rental structures must follow the set laws on the land.
To a greater extent, people looking for cheap accommodation should network through the Senegalese and Africans residing in Germany. Indeed, there are a couple of relevant sites and groups where Senegalese expatriates interact and share accommodation vacancies and any information regarding the German property rental market.
In addition, contact with people in one’s community can help in other aspects of life in Germany, including employment, law, and even managing a money transfer from Germany to Senegal.
Affordability also doesn’t simply mean that there is an affordable dwelling or a dwelling that I can sublet or rent out or even a section of, but rather the way and tactic through which we handle our money and resources as well. A huge number of Senegalese live in Germany, and every week they use an internet facility to send money to their family members in Senegal. Through ACE Money Transfer, you can be assured your family will receive the money conveniently and at a low cost. There is always a difference in the standard exchange rate and fees charged by different platforms and thus needs to be compared.
Those who want to live in Germany for a longer period should consider purchasing homes since it will be financially wiser to own a property rather than renting one. To buy a property in a big city, such as Berlin or Hamburg, one has to spend on average €4,000 to €6,000 per square meter. However, paying for a property involves a considerable amount of capital outlay and embraces its problems, which include the acquisition of a mortgage as well as legal responsibilities.
It can be challenging to look for a house that is both cheap and suitable in Germany if you are a Senegalese immigrant, and this is why one has to make sure that he or she uses every means necessary to get the kind of house he or she wants. It can be made easy by using government funding, looking for joint tenancy options, and linking up with communities. As important as this is, it is also important to be able to meet your financial responsibility back home. Through the recommended money transfer companies, you can send money to Senegal online from Germany, fulfill your obligations, and create stability in the foreign country.
With a WBS, you may rent a state-subsidized flat, which is often less expensive than market-rate rents. You must fulfill specific income conditions in order to receive a WBS.
Cities and neighborhoods have very different rental prices. The cost of living is often higher in larger cities like Berlin and Munich. Investigating particular areas is crucial to locating reasonably priced choices.
A rental agreement is called a Mietvertrag. It describes things like the notice period, rent, and the rights and obligations of the tenant.
