<story><title>Most Germans don’t buy their homes, they rent</title><url>http://qz.com/167887/germany-has-one-of-the-worlds-lowest-homeownership-rates/</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>rmc</author><text>&amp;gt; &lt;i&gt;Serious question: Why is it not very popular in other countries? &lt;/i&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because some countries have much, much worse tenants rights.&lt;p&gt;I moved from Ireland to Germany and in Ireland:&lt;p&gt;* There is basically no protection for rent increases, some people are being told their rent is increasing by 50%&lt;p&gt;* Can&amp;#x27;t change your apartment. Not allowed to paint the walls, nearly all come with furniture, better make sure you don&amp;#x27;t damage any of it.&lt;p&gt;* Oh the landlord&amp;#x2F;landlord&amp;#x27;s relative wants to live in the apartment. Eviction time for you.&lt;p&gt;* You give your landlord your deposit. Let&amp;#x27;s hope they can find it again if you move out.&lt;p&gt;* By default, no pets allowed. And many landlords will say no.&lt;p&gt;* Did I mention about the rent increases?</text></item><item><author>LeanderK</author><text>I am a German CS-Student and currently renting in a shared flat with 4 other students. We call it WG (living-community) and its really popular not only with students, but i know a lot of young professionals and even middle aged ones that share an apartment (it gained popularity in the 60s, so i think its more of an culture thing that older do not share a flat). If you are in a partnership, you can move out and share a smaller one with your partner, but if your not in a partnership (or not that close yet) i wouldn&amp;#x27;t want to miss living in a shared apartment. You come home, talk about your day, cook together and on the weekend you can go out together. There is always something going on. I can&amp;#x27;t imagine living in my own apartment all by myself. Working long and then coming home into an empty, dead, dark apartment with no one to talk to.&lt;p&gt;Serious question: Why is it not very popular in other countries?</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>premium-concern</author><text>In Germany:&lt;p&gt;- Rent increase limits&lt;p&gt;- Larger changes need landlord&amp;#x27;s approval (changing walls and stuff). A lot of smaller stuff can be done on your own and doesn&amp;#x27;t require asking the landlords. (Many landlords are happy if you want to paint the walls etc., though.)&lt;p&gt;- Only smaller apartments (often intended for students) come usually with furniture&lt;p&gt;- The deposit has to be put on a special, locked bank account. The money can only been withdrawn if both sides tell the bank in writing that the rent contract is over&lt;p&gt;- Depends on the size of the pet</text></comment>
<story><title>Most Germans don’t buy their homes, they rent</title><url>http://qz.com/167887/germany-has-one-of-the-worlds-lowest-homeownership-rates/</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>rmc</author><text>&amp;gt; &lt;i&gt;Serious question: Why is it not very popular in other countries? &lt;/i&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because some countries have much, much worse tenants rights.&lt;p&gt;I moved from Ireland to Germany and in Ireland:&lt;p&gt;* There is basically no protection for rent increases, some people are being told their rent is increasing by 50%&lt;p&gt;* Can&amp;#x27;t change your apartment. Not allowed to paint the walls, nearly all come with furniture, better make sure you don&amp;#x27;t damage any of it.&lt;p&gt;* Oh the landlord&amp;#x2F;landlord&amp;#x27;s relative wants to live in the apartment. Eviction time for you.&lt;p&gt;* You give your landlord your deposit. Let&amp;#x27;s hope they can find it again if you move out.&lt;p&gt;* By default, no pets allowed. And many landlords will say no.&lt;p&gt;* Did I mention about the rent increases?</text></item><item><author>LeanderK</author><text>I am a German CS-Student and currently renting in a shared flat with 4 other students. We call it WG (living-community) and its really popular not only with students, but i know a lot of young professionals and even middle aged ones that share an apartment (it gained popularity in the 60s, so i think its more of an culture thing that older do not share a flat). If you are in a partnership, you can move out and share a smaller one with your partner, but if your not in a partnership (or not that close yet) i wouldn&amp;#x27;t want to miss living in a shared apartment. You come home, talk about your day, cook together and on the weekend you can go out together. There is always something going on. I can&amp;#x27;t imagine living in my own apartment all by myself. Working long and then coming home into an empty, dead, dark apartment with no one to talk to.&lt;p&gt;Serious question: Why is it not very popular in other countries?</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>fwn</author><text>All of this affects you less if you are in a shared flat compared to renting it alone. The flat can be vastly more expensive as you are pooling the money and flexibility is higher as you have less furniture per person and tend to be able to join&amp;#x2F;leave shared flats on less rigid schedules. (You can find many in the middle of the month, depending on the holidays etc.)&lt;p&gt;I lived in a shared flat in Germany which got a rent increase and other than all the young families in the building we really barely noticed it.</text></comment>