How to (properly) apply for an apartment viewing

I am subletting my apartment. Based on the dozens of messages I have received, here are some of the mistakes that might hurt your flat search.

The mysterious stranger

In Berlin, an apartment listing can get a few hundred messages in the first hour. Even my short-term flat in the sticks got a dozen applicants right away. Landlords only select half a dozen applicants for a viewing.

Many applicants act as if they were the only ones showing interest. They ask for a viewing without providing any information about themselves.

Asking to visit an apartment without introducing yourself is like applying for a job without attaching your resume, or fishing without a lure.¹ If you get an answer, the other party is either desperate or a scammer.

The wall of text

Other people introduce themselves with far more words than needed.

Sorting through messages is a chore. You only get a few seconds of the recipient’s attention, so use them wisely. In the timeless words of Steve Krug, “get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what’s left.”

The wrong pitch

It’s okay to copy and paste your introduction message, so long as it still fits the apartment you’re applying for. I can abide “dear sir or madam”, but my 3-month sublet might will not be your forever home.

One message raved about the vibrant neighbourhood. It’s Französisch Buchholz. I can touch a cow in 10 minutes.

The lost applicant

“Is it a flat or a WG? When is it available? What is the address?”

Many applicants asked for information that was in the very short description. Some of them realised after a few messages that it’s a short-term sublet, and that it’s not in their favourite neighbourhood.

Eventually, I started replying to every applicant with “this is for a 3-month sublet in Französisch Buchholz, is that okay with you?”² Making the landlord repeat information that’s in the flat listing makes you seem unserious.

So what is a good message?

In my opinion, a good introduction message is simple, straightforward, and informative enough to help the landlord make a decision.

It should explain…

• Who you are
• Who is moving in
• How likely you are to pay the rent
• How unlikely you are to cause trouble

As a bonus, it’s really good to address the landlord by their name and include details that prove that you have read the listing.

Here is a really good message I have received:

May the odds be ever in your favour

The Berlin housing market is brutal. You are competing with a lot of people for a scarce supply of affordable housing. Put the odds on your side, starting with a decent opening message.

This also applies to your job search, and any other bid for a contested resource.

You can find more detailed apartment search advice in my Berlin flat search guide.