Introduction
Finding a rental apartment in Germany – especially in cities such as Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt – can be a challenging task. The housing market is competitive, with prices rising and strict rules in place. Amidst all this, MIETMAKLER (Rental Agent) plays a vital role in connecting tenants with landlords. But what does a mietmakler actually do? Is it worth hiring? What fees are included? How do German laws control their work?
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into all aspects of learning about mietmakler in Germany, covering their responsibilities, legal limitations, advantages, and shortcomings.
What is mietmakler?
A mietmakler is a real estate agent who specializes in rental properties. Their job is to act as an intermediary between landlords and tenants, which helps match the assets available with suitable tenants. Mietmaklers can act independently as part of a large real estate agency (Immobilienfirma).
Unlike real estate agents, who focus on property sales, mietmaklers specialize in the rental market – a significant sector in the German housing market, as more than 50% of Germans rent their homes.
Key responsibilities of a mietmakler
A professional mietmakler usually provides the following services:
1. Property list and marketing
• Property photo
• Writing compelling listings in online portals (eg, immobilienscout24, Immonet, WG-Gesucht)
• Scheduling Open House Appointments
• Management of calls and emails from interested tenants
2. Tenant screening
• Schufa-Auskunft
• Verification of income documents
• Contact previous landlords for reference
3. Conducting visual
• Coordinating and operating the property tourism
• Answering questions from potential tenants
• Explaining the terms of neighborhood, facilities, and rental
4. contract management
• Preparing or reviewing the Rental Agreements
• Ensuring legal compliance with German Tribal Act (Mietrecht)
• Working as a contact between the landlord and the tenant to interact on the conditions
5. Handover aid
• Documentation of property status before move-in
• Major handover organized
• Creating a protocol (übergabeprotokoll)
Why use a mietmakler?
Using a mietmakler can be highly beneficial for both the landlords and tenants, especially in high-demand markets. Let’s find out the benefits:
For landlords
• Time savings: There is no need to deal with dozens of inquiries, phone calls, or background checks.
• Professional Screening: Mietmaklers can rapidly identify reliable tenants.
• Legal Knowledge: Ensures all contracts and procedures are followed to comply with rental laws.
• Better marketing: They know how to erect the listing and pay attention.
For tenants
• access to exclusive listing: Some landlords only rent through agents.
• Support with documentation: For the first time,,tenantsts or non-German speakers benefit from guidance.
• Scheduling Efficiency: Miet-maklers often provide flexible time and better outfits.
• Language aid: Many mietmaklers speak English and help migrants navigate the system.
MIETMAKLER fees (provision): Who pays?
East -2015: Tenants frequently paid
Historically, tenants were often forced to pay the agent’s commission (provision), even if the landlord hired a real estate agent. It was a controversial practice and led to widespread criticism.
Post -2015: BestellerprinZip
In 2015, Germany introduced a new law, known as the Bestalerprinzip (“the person who pays”). According to this theory:
👉 Only the party that hits Mietmakler pays the commission.
How much is the commission?
• Specific fees are two pure cold rent (Nettocaltmiate) plus VAT (19%).
• For example:
If the fare is € 800 per month (except utilities), the commission will be:
€ 800 x 2 = € 1600 + 19% VAT = € 1904.
Exception to the rule
• If you, as a tenant, clearly commission a mietmakler to find a property on your behalf, you may need to pay the commission.
• All agreements must be in writing to be implemented.
Legal requirements for mietmaklers
Licensing
MIETMAKLERS should be licensed under the German Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung). This requires:
• A clean criminal record
• Financial reliability
• Professional liability insurance (recommended)
Transparency and morality
Mietmaklers are legally bound:
• Reveal all fees
• Avoid discrimination (eg, against nationality, income source)
• Honor Data Protection Act (GDPR) (GDPR)
How to choose a good mietmakler
Ultimate Mietmakler Guide 2025: Rental Agents in Germany
Introduction
Finding a rental apartment in Germany – especially in cities such as Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt – can be a challenging task. The housing market is competitive, with prices rising and strict rules in place. Amidst all this, MIETMAKLER (Rental Agent) plays a vital role in connecting tenants with landlords. But what does a mietmakler actually do? Is it worth hiring? What fees are included? How do German laws control their work?
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into all aspects of learning about mietmakler in Germany, covering their responsibilities, legal limitations, advantages, and shortcomings.
What is mietmakler?
A mietmakler is a real estate agent who specializes in rental properties. Their job is to act as an intermediary between landlords and tenants, which helps match the assets available with suitable tenants. Mietmaklers can act independently as part of a large real estate agency (Immobilienfirma).
Unlike real estate agents, who focus on property sales, mietmaklers specialize in the rental market – a significant sector in the German housing market, as more than 50% of Germans rent their homes.
Key responsibilities of a mietmakler
A professional mietmakler usually provides the following services:
1. Property list and marketing
• Property photo
• Writing compelling listings in online portals (eg, immobilienscout24, Immonet, WG-Gesucht)
• Scheduling Open House Appointments
• Management of calls and emails from interested tenants
2. Tenant screening
• Schufa-Auskunft
• Verification of income documents
• Contact previous landlords for reference
3. Conducting visual
• Coordinating and operating the tourism
• Answering questions from potential tenants
• Explaining the terms of neighborhood, facilities, and rent
4. contract management
• Preparing or reviewing the Rental Agreements
• Ensuring legal compliance with German Tribal Act (Mietrecht)
• Working as a contact between the landlord and the tenant to interact on the conditions
5. Handover aid
• Documentation of property status before move-in
• Major handover organized
• Creating a protocol (übergabeprotokoll)
Why use a mietmakler?
Using a mietmakler can be highly beneficial for both the landlords and tenants, especially in high-demand markets. Let’s find out the benefits:
For landlords
• Time savings: There is no need to deal with dozens of inquiries, phone calls, or background checks.
• Professional Screening: Miet-maklers can rapidly identify reliable tenants.
• Legal Knowledge: Ensures all contracts and procedures are followed to comply with rental laws.
• Better marketing: They know how to erect the listing and pay attention.
For tenants
• access to exclusive listing: Some landlords only rent through agents.
• Support with documentation: For the first time,,tenantsts or non-German speakers benefit from guidance.
• Scheduling Efficiency: Miet-maklers often provide flexible time and better outfits.
• Language aid: Many miet-maklers speak English and help migrants navigate the system.
MIETMAKLER fees (provision): Who pays?
East -2015: Tenants frequently paid
Historically, tenants were often forced to pay the agent’s commission (provision), even if the landlord hired a real estate agent. It was a controversial practice and led to widespread criticism.
Post -2015: BestellerprinZip
In 2015, Germany introduced a new law, known as the Bestalerprinzip (“the person who pays”). According to this theory:
👉 Only the party that hits Mietmakler pays the commission.
How much is the commission?
• Specific fees are two pure cold rent (Nettocaltmiate) plus VAT (19%).
• For example:
If the fare is € 800 per month (except utilities), the commission will be:
€ 800 x 2 = € 1600 + 19% VAT = € 1904.
Exception to the rule
• If you, as a tenant, clearly commission a miet-makler to find a property on your behalf, you may need to pay the commission.
• All agreements must be in writing to be implemented.
Legal requirements for mietmaklers
Licensing
MIET-MAKLERS should be licensed under the German Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung). This requires:
• A clean criminal record
• Financial reliability
• Professional liability insurance (recommended)
Transparency and morality
Miet-maklers are legally bound:
• Reveal all fees
• Avoid discrimination (eg, against nationality, income source)
• Honor Data Protection Act (GDPR) (GDPR)
How to choose a good miet-makler
With hundreds of agents operating in major cities, how do you find a reliable one?
1. Check the license
Ensure that the agent is registered and licensed properly.
2. Online review
See the reaction to Google, Immobilienscout24, Yelp, or Trustpilot.
3. Professional union
Membership in industry groups such as IVD (Immobilienverband Deutschland) is a positive signal.
4. Transparency
Avoid agents who are unclear about fees or show reluctance to keep agreements in writing.
5. Communications
A good miet-makler should be responsible, transparent, and respectful of your time.
Mietmaklers and the digital revolution
Online platform vs human agent
In today’s technology-powered world, many zamindars and tenants use online platforms:
• Imbilienscout24
• WG-Gesucht
• EBay Cleannezen
• Emonet
While these provide direct access to platform listing, miet-maklers still offer value-added services such as:
• Professional conversation
• conflict resolution
• legal compliance
• Off-market properties
Proptech innovation
Some miet-maklers now use:
• AI algorithm for tenant matching
• Virtual tour to show apartments
• Digital contracts and e-hosts
This equipment lines the process and reduces paperwork time for both sparties
partiesths About Miet-maklers
| Myth | Reality |
| Mietmaklers are only for the rich. | Many tenants and landlords benefit from their expertise, especially in big cities. |
| Agents always charge the tenant. | Since 2015, only the party thatt hires the Mietmakler pays. |
| It’s better to rent privately. | Private rentals can be less formal and riskier without a professional intermediary. |
| Mietmaklers are not trustworthy. | While scams exist, most licensed agents work professionally and ethically. |
Options for miet-maklers
While miet-maklers provide valuable services, they are not the only options. Depending on your situation, you can consider:
• Direct landlord listing: found on online portals or notice boards.
• Social media groups: Facebook group for housing in major cities.
• Newspaper classified: Especially useful in small cities.
• Flat-sharing sites (WG): If you are looking for a room instead of a whole apartment.
Each method consists of its professionals and opposition. Miet-maklers offer convenience and safety, but for those on a tight budget, DIY approaches might be a better option.
Miet-maklers for exits and international tenants
Foreigners faced challenges
• Lack of German documents (eg, Shufa)
• Language obstacles
• Cultural misunderstanding
• unfamiliarity with tenant rights
How Miet-maklers can help
• Provide English language support
• Assist with translations
• Offer Relocation Package
• Connect customers with equipped or short-termrental
Many real estate agencies are specialists, especially in cities with large international communities.
Case Study: Renting with a Mietmakler in Berlin
Status: A software engineer from India moves to Berlin with a job offering, but struggles to find housing due to a lack of local references and German documents.
Solution: He specializes in a licensed miet-makler in expat services. Agent:
• Pre-selection of suitable apartments
• Schedule viewing on the weekend
• Helps draft the rental application and provides template documents
• Helps translate the contract
Results: The tenant secures an apartment within two weeks, thereby avoiding the expense of staying in a hotel.
Final thoughts
In the complex world of the German housing market, a miet-makler can be your biggest partner or an unnecessary expense – depending on how you use them.
✅ For landlords, miet-maklers provide timely, professional tenanscreeningon.
✅ For tenants, especially new people or busy professionals, miet-maklers can simplify a stressful process and provide exceptional opportunities.
However, it is necessary to know your rights, understand the Bestalerpressip, and select agents with transparency and reliability.
In short: A miet-makler is not just a middleman – they are a narrator of smooth, more secure rental experiences.
Faqs about mietmaklers
❓ Can I refuse to work with a mietmakler?
Yes. You can always choose to search for housing independently.
❓ Has MIETMAKLER allowed me to charge if I don’t rent them?
No, according to Bestellerprinzip, you only pay when you hire them.
❓ What are mietmaklers who specialize in equipped fare?
Yes. Many agencies provide apartment services.
Ann, do you have a complaint against an apartment service?
You can contact IHK (Industrie-Und Handelskammer) or a local consumer protection agency (Verbraucherzentrale).
