When the Jobcenter pays your rent: what is covered in Berlin

Who pays your housing costs

Since 01.07.2026, basic income support for jobseekers has been called Grundsicherungsgeld (until then: Bürgergeld); offices may still use the old name until the end of 2026. The Jobcenter pays it to people who are able to work and to the members of their household. People who cannot work or have reached retirement age usually receive social assistance from the Sozialamt (social welfare office). Both cover the costs of accommodation and heating (Kosten der Unterkunft und Heizung, KdU) — rent including operating costs, plus heating and hot water — as long as they are appropriate. Household electricity is not included: you pay it from your standard benefit.

Refugees from Ukraine: with a residence permit under § 24 AufenthG, you currently receive Grundsicherungsgeld from the Jobcenter if you are able to work and need support, and otherwise social assistance from the Sozialamt. A federal law is planned under which people who arrived from 01.04.2025 would instead receive lower benefits under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG) from the Sozialamt after a transition period. As of October 2026, it has not taken effect. Even then, appropriate costs of accommodation and heating would still be paid once you have left the arrival centre. Ask your Jobcenter about your case — and in any case, get written approval before you sign.

What counts as appropriate in Berlin

In Berlin, the limits are set by the AV Wohnen, the Senate’s implementing rules on housing costs; the current version has applied since 01.01.2026. The Jobcenter checks two things separately: the Bruttokaltmiete — net rent (Nettokaltmiete) plus operating costs without heating — and the costs of heating and hot water. Guideline values (Richtwerte) for the Bruttokaltmiete by number of people in the household:

• 1 person: €449.00
• 2 persons: €543.40
• 3 persons: €668.80
• 4 persons: €752.40
• 5 persons: €903.72
• each additional person: +€106.32

Heating costs have their own limits, which depend on household size, the type of heating and the size of the building; for a new flat, the advance payments calculated by the landlord are used. A higher rent can be accepted in some cases: for social housing the guideline values are somewhat higher; energy-efficient flats get a climate bonus; in hardship cases — for example for single parents, people over 60 or people with a disability — up to 10% more is possible, and for people moving out of a shelter or refugee accommodation, or threatened with homelessness, up to 20% more. The flat must not be overcrowded: as a rule at least 9 m² per person and 6 m² per child up to the age of six. The values are updated from time to time — ask your Jobcenter for the current ones.

New since July 2026: a cap during the Karenzzeit

When you first receive benefits, a Karenzzeit (grace period) of one year applies: the Jobcenter pays the actual rent of the flat you live in, even if it is above the guideline value. Since 01.07.2026 this applies only up to 1.5 times the guideline value; more is accepted only in individual cases — if it is unavoidable or in households with children. If the rent is higher than the rent cap (Mietpreisbremse) allows, the excess is not protected, and the Jobcenter will ask you to make a formal complaint (Rüge) to your landlord. The Karenzzeit covers the rent, not heating costs. And it is not a free pass for moving: the rules below apply to a new flat.

Before you sign: get written approval (Zusicherung)

1. Ask the landlord for a written, personal rental offer (Wohnungsangebot or Mietangebot) — a printout of the online ad or an exposé is not enough. It should state the size of the flat, net rent, operating costs, heating costs, the type of heating and hot water, the energy class, the heated area of the building and whether it is social housing. Jobcenters often have a form for this (Vermieterfragebogen).
2. Hand it in to the Jobcenter together with an application for approval of the new flat; in the same application, ask for the deposit and moving costs. Within Berlin, your current Jobcenter decides. If you move to Berlin from another city, the Berlin Jobcenter for the new address approves the rent and deposit, and your current Jobcenter decides on moving costs.
3. The Jobcenter checks whether the rent is appropriate and — if it is higher than your current rent — whether the move is necessary. Tell the landlord that the approval is pending and ask how long the offer is valid.
4. Sign only once you have the written approval (Zusicherung). After signing, hand in the lease so that the deposit can be paid.

A move counts as necessary, for example, if the Jobcenter has asked you to reduce your housing costs, if your flat is far too small or endangers your health (for example because of mould), after a separation, or for a job outside Berlin; for families with children, also when leaving a shelter or shared accommodation. Wanting a different neighbourhood or a better-equipped flat is usually not enough. If you move within Berlin without a necessary reason, the Jobcenter pays no more rent than before. People under 25 always need the approval before signing, especially when moving out of their parents’ home — otherwise their housing costs are usually not covered.

Deposit, cooperative shares and moving costs

• Deposit (Kaution) and cooperative shares (Genossenschaftsanteile): with prior approval, usually as a loan paid directly to the landlord or the cooperative. While you receive benefits, it is repaid through small monthly deductions (usually 5% of the standard rate), and your claim to get the deposit back is assigned to the State of Berlin.
• Moving costs (Umzugskosten): with prior approval, for example a rental van, boxes and meals for helpers; a removal company only in justified cases, such as old age, disability or single parents with children, and as a rule with three quotes.
• Costs of finding a flat (Wohnungsbeschaffungskosten), such as a Schufa report: they can be covered if approved beforehand; the Jobcenter decides case by case.
• Double rent during the move: only if it cannot be avoided and was approved beforehand — usually for one month.
• Initial furnishings (Erstausstattung): if you are setting up your first own home, for example after living in a shelter, you can apply separately for furniture and household appliances.

If the rent is too high

If your housing costs are above the appropriate level, the Jobcenter tells you in writing and asks you to reduce them (Kostensenkungsaufforderung). As a rule, it continues to pay the full costs for up to six months; after that only the appropriate share, and you have to pay the rest from your standard benefit. Ways to reduce costs include subletting a room (with the landlord’s consent), a rent reduction by the landlord or a move. Keep proof of your flat search: if you can show intensive efforts — in Berlin, as a rule at least two documented applications a week — the deadline can be extended. If a move would cost more than it saves, the Jobcenter usually does not require it. Free advice is available from the tenant counselling service (Mieterberatung) in your district.

WBS, Wohngeld and Flat-Radar

• Many benefit recipients meet the income limits for a WBS. It opens up social housing, for which the Jobcenter applies somewhat higher guideline values. If the Jobcenter has asked you to reduce costs, you may qualify for a WBS with special housing need.
• If your income is a little too high for Jobcenter benefits, check whether Wohngeld (housing benefit) is an option — you cannot receive both at the same time.
• In your housing request on Flat-Radar, choose “Jobcenter” as the payment method: we show your request to landlords who accept payments from public authorities, and you can receive new matching listings by e-mail. It is free for private persons. Flat-Radar does not check KdU limits, so compare the rent with the values above yourself; more tips: how to find a flat in Berlin.
• On request, the Jobcenter pays the rent directly to the landlord — this can reassure landlords.

Common mistakes

• Signing the lease before receiving the written Zusicherung.
• Handing in only a screenshot of the ad instead of a written offer from the landlord.
• Trusting unrealistically low advance payments for operating or heating costs: after the first annual statement, the rent may turn out to be too high.
• Paying the deposit or other costs yourself without approval and hoping for a refund later.
• Not handing in the annual utility statement (Betriebskostenabrechnung) promptly: back-payments are usually covered if the costs are appropriate, and credits reduce your benefit.
• Forgetting the formalities after moving in: register your new address within two weeks — see our guide on Anmeldung.