How to (properly) apply for an apartment viewing

I am subletting my apartment. These are the mistakes people make when they contact me about my listing.

This is in the context of a flat search, but it should also apply to your job search, or any kind of outreach for a contested resource.

How to find an apartment in Berlin ➞

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 stick got a dozen applicants right away. Out of all those applicants, only half a dozen will be selected for a viewing.

Still, many applicants act as if they were the only ones showing interest.

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

This is the opposite of the mysterious stranger. Some applicants introduce themselves in far more words than I care to read.

Sorting through messages is a chore. You only get a few seconds of my attention, so keep your elevator pitch tight.

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 impersonal 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 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.

Replying to these messages is often a waste of time, because the applicant has missed key parts of the listing. When I was hiring, I would include a Van Halen test in the job description to filter those people out.

What a good message looks like

A good introduction message is simple, straightforward, and informative enough to help the other side make a decision.

In my case, I am subletting the apartment that I live in, along with all of my stuff. Your message should convince me that you have your ducks in a row and your head on your shoulders.

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