Wohnberechtigungsschein beantragen

If you only have a low income and would therefore like to rent subsidized housing, you can apply for a housing entitlement certificate.

The certificate of eligibility for housing entitles the holder to move into a subsidized apartment.
The apartments subsidized with funds from the social housing promotion program (so-called social housing) are subject to occupancy and rent control. This means that the owner may only rent the apartments to households that have a corresponding certificate of eligibility for housing. In addition, the rent for the apartment may not exceed a certain amount. The rent is usually lower than the rent for other apartments.

Which households can obtain a certificate of eligibility for social housing?

A certificate of eligibility for social housing can be issued if certain requirements are met. The applicant, who forms a household with the members of his or her household, must meet the income limit applicable to this household. The income is checked by the authority to which the application for a housing entitlement certificate is submitted.

In addition, the size of an apartment that may be occupied generally depends on the size of the household (appropriate apartment size).

• Application form with signature of the applicant
• Personal documents of all persons belonging to the household
  These include: Current identity card or passport, foreign passport with valid residence title/residence permit (valid for at least 12 months) or birth certificate (for children without ID)
• Proof of income of the applicant and all members of the household

Further documents or evidence may be required (e.g. medical certificates, certificate of severe disability, pregnancy certificate/mother's passport, birth certificate of the child or children, tenancy agreement, current certificate of study or school certificate, etc.).

Eligible applicants are those seeking accommodation who are not only staying temporarily in the area covered by this Act and who are in a position to establish a long-term residence as the center of their life and to run an independent household.

The receipt of a residence entitlement certificate is dependent on income.

Please contact the relevant authority for details.

None

You can only obtain a certificate of eligibility for housing if you apply to the relevant authority.

You must submit your application for a certificate of eligibility for housing to the competent authority. You will also receive a corresponding application form there. The application must be submitted by the authorized person.

The residence entitlement certificate is valid for one year and can then be reapplied for if necessary.

Once the required documents and evidence are complete, a processing time of 4 - 5 weeks should generally be expected. The competent authority may decide on urgency.

Applications can be submitted at any time (no application deadlines).

• In principle, any adult citizen is eligible to apply. All persons moving in must be members of the family or household.
• Only one application for a certificate of eligibility for housing can be submitted.
• The certificate of eligibility for housing is only valid for housing in the state. A certificate of eligibility for housing issued in another federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany will not be recognized.
• Holders of a certificate of eligibility for housing belong to the group of people who are allowed to rent social housing. They do not automatically receive social housing with the Wohnberechtigungsschein, but must look for social housing themselves.

Appeal/complaint against rejection notice possible.

• Housing entitlement certificate (also: WBS)
• is required to move into social housing.
• This entitles a person to rent an apartment whose construction was subsidized with public funds (social housing).
• This requires proof of the income of this person and the other household members, which must not exceed a certain amount.
• A WBS issued in a federal state is only valid for housing in that state. A certificate of eligibility for housing issued in another federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany will not be recognized.
• WBS is valid for 1 year after issue.
• the applicant must generally be of legal age (exceptions must be clarified with the responsible authority)

Note: You can obtain the application for a housing entitlement certificate from the responsible authority.