Accommodation

In this article, we will explore the main types of student housing along with their characteristics. The following principle applies to each type of accommodation: the earlier you start looking, the greater your chance of finding a room that suits you.

Studentenwohnheim

The majority of the student residences in Mannheim are owned by Studierendenwerk Mannheim. You can find information about each individual residence offered (estimated rent, location, equipment, furnishings, room type) at the following link: https://www.stw-ma.de/Wohnen.html.

Application

The application process is online through the Studierendenwerk's portal. You can fill out the form no earlier than 6 months before your intended move-in date. For example, if you plan to move in on September 1st, you can submit a housing application as early as March 1st.

It's important to note that you do NOT need an Immatrikulationsbescheinigung (registration certificate) from the university to apply for a room. Once you secure a room, you will upload it to the housing portal as soon as you receive it.

You can apply for housing even before applying to the university. The idea is to get on the waiting lists as early as possible to increase your chances.

You may receive a confirmation even before being admitted to the university or after arriving in Germany. The deadlines vary and depend on when you apply and the influx of students.

When filling out the application, you should prioritize your desired types of accommodation from first to fifth, with all available options listed in the dropdown menu. You will also fill in your personal information. After successfully submitting the application, you will receive a confirmation via email.

In extreme cases where you cannot find a room despite being in Mannheim, it's advisable to visit the administrative office of Studierendenwerk in person (address: Bismarckstraße 10, Mensa am Schloss | Eingang A, 68161 Mannheim) and explain your situation to the responsible Sachbearbeiter. Argue that you have no other options. They usually have a few reserved rooms available.

Private Student Residences

Mannheim also has several private student residences, such as:

- Das Alfred Delp Haus (ADH): https://www.alfred-delp-haus.de/wohnen.html
- Campo Novo Mannheim: https://www.campo-novo-mannheim.de/
- Emelie-Hucht-Haus: https://www.emilie-hucht-haus.de/daten-und-fakten.html

WG (Wohnungsgemeinschaft outside of state-run dormitories) translates to "Shared apartment (outside of state-run dormitories)".

Usually, when it comes to WGs (Wohngemeinschaften), we are talking about a large apartment with 2, 3, or 4 separate rooms for tenants who share common sanitary facilities and a kitchen. Typically, they are more expensive, and when searching, it's essential to check whether the price listed in the ad refers to "Warmmiete" or "Kaltmiete."

Warmmiete = The cost of the room + expenses for electricity, heating, water, and the internet.

Kaltmiete = The cost of the room, which does not include any additional expenses (meaning you will have to pay utility bills separately).

During the application process, you are likely to be interviewed by the other residents of the apartment, and their approval also plays a role in whether you will be accepted as a roommate. They may request proof of income to ensure you can regularly pay the rent.

The most well-known websites for finding this type of housing are:

WG Gesucht: https://www.wg-gesucht.de/
WG-Suche: https://www.wg-suche.de/