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Moving In: Registration (Anmeldung) and Utility Contracts
You have the keys, but the paperwork isn't over. We guide you through the mandatory 'Ummeldung' within 2 weeks and how to avoid paying double rent for your old place.
Table of Contents
Congratulations, you are now a homeowner! But in Germany, owning a house doesn't automatically register you there. The bureaucracy continues after the handover. Timing is everything to ensure a smooth transition from tenant to owner without unnecessary costs.
1. The 2-Week Rule (Bürgeramt)
By law, you must register your new address (Ummeldung) at the local Citizens' Office (Bürgeramt) within 14 days of moving in. Since you are the owner, you don't need a landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from someone else; you sign it yourself or provide the land registry extract.
Test this investment idea on your own address
Pick a location and enter the purchase price. We'll prepare rental yield, cash flow, tax impact, and the cost breakdown as a private report.
2. Electricity and Internet
Don't forget to inform the local electricity provider with the meter reading from the handover protocol immediately. Otherwise, you fall into the expensive 'Grundversorgung' tariff. Also, internet relocation can take weeks in Germany—apply for the transfer at least 1 month before the move.
