What happens to the deposit when a flatmate moves out?

With subletting, the subtenant pays the deposit to the main tenant, not to the landlord, and gets it back from them on moving out. With a joint tenancy agreement, on the other hand, the deposit stays with the landlord, and the successor usually pays out the share of the person leaving directly. Put both in writing to avoid disputes during the shared-flat move .

Who is liable for damage during the shared-flat move?

We are liable for damage caused by our team during transport under the HGB (§ 451e: €620 per m³); additional insurance is available on request. For damage a subtenant causes in the flat, the main tenant is liable to the landlord (§ 540(2) BGB); among themselves, the main tenant can then claim against the subtenant. Set this out in the sublease agreement.

How do I quickly find a replacement tenant for my room in the shared flat?

Use flatshare portals, social media and notices at universities to re-let your room in the shared flat quickly. A meaningful advert with photos and an honest description of the shared flat significantly increases your chances of success. Allow enough lead time so that the shared-flat move can be organised smoothly and there is no gap in the rent.

What if flatmates move at different times?

With staggered moving dates, flexible planning with the removal company is advisable, for example through separate dates or a part load for individual rooms. That way the whole shared flat does not have to move at the same time, and each flatmate can plan individually. Our team is happy to coordinate with everyone involved to ensure a smooth shared-flat move .

How do I plan the furniture transport for several rooms in a shared flat?

For efficient furniture transport , each room should be labelled and documented individually so that nothing gets mixed up in the new home. A joint list of all furniture helps the removal company plan the vehicle size and time required. That way the shared-flat move stays structured, without chaos during loading and unloading.

Do I need a sublease agreement for my room in the shared flat?

Yes, a written sublease agreement is strongly recommended: it sets out the room, shared use, rent, service charges, deposit and notice period. The landlord's permission (§ 540 BGB) is also important – without it, the main tenant risks trouble. Tenants' associations offer model contracts and advice.

How does re-registration at the registration office work in a shared flat?

Every flatmate has to register with the registration authority within two weeks of moving in (§ 17 BMG). Subtenants receive the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from the main tenant, who also names the owner in it (§ 19 BMG); main tenants receive it from the landlord. If several people move in on the same day, one confirmation can contain all the names.

What do the costs of a shared-flat move with a professional removal company depend on?

The costs of a shared-flat move depend on the number of rooms, the distance and the amount of furniture. After the survey, you receive a quote at a fixed price . Just call 01625978461 or find out about our private move services to receive an individual quote for your shared flat.

How do I organise moving boxes for several rooms in a shared flat?

Label every box with a name and room so that there are no mix-ups when unpacking. For a smooth shared-flat move , colour-coding per person is also a good idea. Our team is happy to support you with professional packing material and practical tips on organising all the boxes.

What do I need to bear in mind for a long-distance shared-flat move to another city?

For a long-distance move , all flatmates should agree dates and transport capacity early, because the journey usually happens only once. Find out about our long-distance moving services to plan costs and the process in advance. That way the shared-flat move runs reliably and stress-free, even over longer distances.

How do I avoid arguments during the shared-flat move?

Clear communication and written agreements on costs, the division of furniture and dates prevent most conflicts in a shared-flat move . With subletting, a clear sublease agreement helps most of all, because then everyone knows what applies when moving out. A joint meeting before the move clears up the remaining questions; we give you the fixed price after the survey.

SUBLETTING IN THE SHARED FLAT

Subletting a room: the landlord's permission and the sublease agreement

Q: How do you split the costs of a shared-flat move fairly?

The simplest way is to divide the total cost of the shared-flat move by the number of flatmates and put this in writing. It is fairer if flatmates with a particularly large amount of furniture or bulky items take on a larger share. A fixed-price quote after the survey makes the calculation easier, because all flatmates know what to expect from the start.

When the main tenant may sublet a room in a shared flat, what belongs in the sublease agreement and who issues the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).

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OBTAIN PERMISSION

Main tenant and subtenant

Subletting in a shared flat – permission first, then the move-in

Legally sound

Unsere Firma Subletting in a shared flat: permission under § 540 and § 553 BGB, sublease agreement, the main tenant's liability and registration.

Many shared flats work on the main tenant and subtenant model: one person holds the tenancy agreement and the others rent their rooms from them. For this, the main tenant needs the landlord's permission (§ 540 BGB) – and if a legitimate interest arises after the contract is signed, for example because a flatmate moves out, they are generally entitled to it (§ 553 BGB). For a subtenant's move-in, we plan a small Private move or a larger shared-flat move; we give you the fixed price after the survey.

We know the typical situations in a shared flat: narrow stairwells, bulky shared furniture and tight time windows between move-out and move-in. We plan the furniture transport so that every room in the shared flat is packed separately and clearly. Even with a long-distance move to another city, we ensure punctual delivery. Your belongings are covered by liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB) (§ 451e: €620 per m³).

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50,-DISCOUNT

NO-OBLIGATION ENQUIRY

PERSONAL ADVICE

Planning the move into a sublet room

Fixed price after a survey

In a shared flat in particular, cost transparency is important, because the subtenant often pays for their own move. With our fixed price after the survey, you know exactly in advance what the move costs. Just call us on 01625978461 and have us prepare an individual quote for your shared-flat move.

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

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ONE ROOM, CLEAR ARRANGEMENTS

What we take on when subtenants change

Out and in, well coordinated

A shared-flat move involving subletting works differently from a single move: the main tenant stays, subtenants come and go. We coordinate move-out and move-in so that the room does not stand empty and nobody waits for anyone else in the hallway. We give you the fixed price after the survey; your belongings are covered by liability under the HGB, and additional insurance is available on request. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive nationwide – you will find destinations with their own page under Locations.

Coordinated dates

If one subtenant moves out and a new one moves in, we plan both trips so that the room is not left empty for a single day.

Only your own room

Furnished rooms stay furnished: we take only what belongs to the subtenant – the main tenant's furniture stays where it is.

Assembly service

We assemble the bed, wardrobe and desk in the new room so that the new subtenant can settle in on the very first night.

Small transport

For a single sublet room, a smaller vehicle is often enough – cheaper and easier to park in the street.

SUBLETTING IN SIX POINTS

What applies to subletting in a shared flat

With subletting, the main tenant bears the risk towards the landlord, while the subtenant only has a contract with the main tenant. These six points show what applies legally and what belongs in the contract.

Permission required

Without the landlord's permission, the tenant may not sublet the flat (§ 540 BGB) – not even a single room.

Right to permission

If a legitimate interest arises after the contract is signed, the tenant can demand permission for part of the flat (§ 553 BGB).

Limits

The landlord may refuse if there is good cause in the person of the subtenant or the flat would be overcrowded.

The main tenant's liability

The main tenant is liable to the landlord for damage caused by the subtenant (§ 540(2) BGB).

Sublease agreement

In writing: the room, shared use of kitchen and bathroom, rent, service charges, deposit, notice period and any furniture let with the room.

Registration

The main tenant issues the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung), naming the owner (§ 19 BMG); register within two weeks.

FOR THE SUBLET ROOM

Part load for a single room

Small move, small price

Anyone moving into a furnished sublet room often brings only a little. In that case we offer an affordable part load – so you save if the whole shared flat is not moving.

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SUBLETTING

Subletting
without trouble with the landlord

Permission, contract, registration

Subletting in a shared flat comes down to three questions: is the main tenant allowed to sublet at all, what goes in the sublease agreement, and who confirms the registration? Without the landlord's permission, the main tenant risks trouble with their own tenancy agreement. Obtaining permission early and putting the contract in writing avoids disputes when subtenants change. You can read how registration works after moving in in the article Re-registering after the move.

Get permission in writing

Ask the landlord before the move-in, give the name and reason, and get the permission in writing. That way the sublet is secured from the start – for the main tenant as well as for the new flatmate.

Moving into the sublet room

With a packing service, careful furniture transport and a coordinated date, the new subtenant moves in without the others in the shared flat having to interrupt their daily routine.

Little luggage, a small solution

If the sublet room is furnished, a part load or a furniture taxi is often enough for your own things. We give you the price after the survey.

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MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions on subletting in a shared flat

Answers on the landlord's permission, the sublease agreement, deposit, liability, registration and moving into a room in a shared flat.

The simplest way is to divide the total cost of the shared-flat move by the number of flatmates and put this in writing. It is fairer if flatmates with a particularly large amount of furniture or bulky items take on a larger share. A fixed-price quote after the survey makes the calculation easier, because all flatmates know what to expect from the start.

When the main tenant may sublet

Without the landlord's permission, a tenant may not let the flat or a room to third parties (§ 540 BGB). If the landlord refuses permission without good cause in the person of the subtenant, the tenant may terminate extraordinarily with the statutory notice period. If a legitimate interest arises after the tenancy agreement has been signed – for example because a flatmate moves out and the rent would be too high for one person – the tenant can demand permission for part of the flat (§ 553 BGB).

The landlord may then only refuse if there is good cause in the person of the subtenant, the flat would be overcrowded or it cannot reasonably be expected of them for other reasons. Obtain the permission in writing before the new flatmate moves in – this protects both the main tenant and the subtenant.

What belongs in the sublease agreement

A written sublease agreement sets out which room is let and which rooms, such as the kitchen and bathroom, are shared, plus rent, service charges, deposit and notice period. If furniture is let with the room, a list belongs with it – then it is clear on moving out what stays in the room. The main tenant is liable to the landlord for damage caused by the subtenant (§ 540(2) BGB).

To register, the subtenant needs a landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung); the main tenant issues it and also names the owner (§ 19 BMG). For a long-distance move into a sublet room, it is best to sort this out before you travel.

What moving into a room in a shared flat costs

€349 – starting price for 1-room flats
€579 – starting price for 2-room flats
€879 – starting price for 3-room flats
€1,299 – starting price for 4-room flats
Individual quote – for a house/villa
€4.25/km – basis for long-distance moves

Book a free survey now.

What the price for one room depends on

The level of moving costs depends largely on the distance (from €4.25/km) and the volume of the belongings. If there is no lift, the effort per floor rises noticeably, and a no-parking zone often has to be planned in as well. If you would also like to use our furniture assembly or a part load, this also affects the price.

Our services for rooms in shared flats

Complete range of services

These services suit moving into or out of a room in a shared flat.

Move with assembly – furniture assembly on site
Company relocation – smooth business relocation
Furniture transport – professionally packed
Private move – personal support
House clearance – environmentally sound disposal
Part load – combined with other tours

Subletting in another city

If you move into a sublet room in another city for studies or work, we handle the journey as a long-distance move or part load. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive nationwide. You will find all the information in the locations overview and under Long-distance moves.

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Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 27, 2026

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