Scarcity of student accommodations persists
In the picturesque city of Lübeck, the upcoming academic year is shaping up to be a challenging one for students seeking accommodation. The housing market remains extremely tense, with limited availability and high demand, particularly for international students.
The Musikhochschule Lübeck (MHL) and the University of Lübeck will welcome their new students on September 30 and October 7, respectively. However, finding a place to live in the city has proven to be a daunting task for many.
One solution for international students is to utilise university housing services. Early application to student dormitories, which offer subsidized rooms and are often prioritized for international and first-year students, is highly recommended.
Another option is to explore private student housing providers. Several companies offer student rooms or shared flats (WG or Wohngemeinschaften) on dedicated student accommodation platforms. Students should book early and be prepared for competitive application processes.
Networking locally can also help. Joining university social media groups or forums related to Lübeck housing can provide opportunities to find sublets, room shares, or vacant apartments offered by other students.
Broadening search areas to include nearby districts with good transport links to Lübeck can increase chances of finding affordable accommodation outside the city center.
Some local organizations and student unions provide counseling on housing options and tenant rights to help students navigate the tight market. Proactive application, with many students starting their search several months before the semester begins, is also key.
Despite these efforts, no clear new large-scale housing projects targeted specifically at international students have been announced. This means that students will need to rely on a combination of these strategies to secure accommodation in Lübeck's currently strained housing market.
The AStA, the student body at the MHL, receives many inquiries for tips and support, but finding solutions, especially for international students, is difficult. The housing situation has been described as catastrophic by Friedrich Hagedorn from the AStA of the MHL.
The General Students' Committees of the Lübeck universities have launched a call to landlords to offer rooms or affordable apartments for rent. The Student Services has been planning to build another dormitory in Lübeck for years, but no plot of land is currently available.
The housing exchange integrated into the Moodle learning platform regularly publishes ads, while platforms like "WG-gesucht" remain popular among students for finding accommodations. The "Couch for Freshers" action offers new students the opportunity to stay with fellow students for the first few months.
When viewing apartments, it is important to bring all relevant documents, such as the parents' guarantee, with you. When using internet portals, it is crucial to ensure that the profiles are informative. It is also advised not to rely solely on online searches, but also to look for housing ads in print newspapers or place your own ads.
Despite these efforts, the housing situation in Lübeck remains extremely tense, particularly affecting students. Katharina Trebes, spokesperson for the Student Services Schleswig-Holstein, confirms that the situation has not improved. Students are encouraged to start their housing search early, specify a flexible move-in date, and be prepared for a competitive market.
- Students searching for accommodation in the strained market of Lübeck might find it beneficial to look into home-and-garden platforms, as some student rooms or shared flats might be listed there.
- To ease the pressure of the competitive lifestyle in Lübeck, international students could consider collaborating with local organizations or student unions, as they often provide counseling on housing options and tenant rights.
