Berlin City Guide

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© 2016 Dwellworks Page 5 Berlin City Guide
Housing in Berlin
Registration with the Utility Providers
Electricity
The local electricity company should be contacted to state the move-in date and check whether the
previous owner or tenant has cancelled his registration. When registering, there may be a fee.
Normally, a pre-payment amount will be charged every one or two months, and these are adjusted
at the end of the year according to usage. The easiest forms of payment are direct debit or
standing order.
Water, Sewage and Garbage Collection (see also page on garbage separation)
The tenant normally pays for water, sewage and garbage collection to the landlord. In case he has
to register directly, the tenant must call the respective local utility company himself.
Snow Clearing and Cleaning of Communal Areas
According to house rules which are attached to the lease agreement or put in the communal
staircase, tenants are sometimes held responsible for the cleaning of the communal areas of the
house and for the snow and ice removal during the winter. It is advisable to ask your landlord if you
are responsible for snow and ice clearing. If the tenant is required to be responsible for snow
removal during the winter, then he is liable for any damage which may be caused by his neglect to
remove the snow.
Telephone Registration (see also separate chapter)
In order to arrange for the telephone to be connected, call Deutsche Telekom (0800/330 10 00).
The connection should be made within 14 days. It helps to be able to give the name and number of
the previous tenant.
TV/Radio Registration
In Germany all TV sets and radios, including those in cars, have to be registered with the GEZ
(Gebühreneinzugszentrale). Children who live with their parents but have their own income must
also register their own radios and TV sets. Registration forms for the GEZ can be obtained from all
post offices and banks, downloaded from the internet: or via fax: 0180-582 10 10. The
mailing address of the GEZ is: GEZ 50656 Köln.
Contact addresses of local companies in charge of utilities:
Berliner Wasserbetriebe Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe
Berlin Water Authorities Berlin Cleaning Authorities
Neue Jüdenstr. 1 Ringbahnstr. 96
10179 Berlin 12103 Berlin
Tel: 0800-2 92 75 87 Tel: 030-75 92 49 00
(English version available)