Mediation of housing partnerships
Welcome to RaumTeiler – a project close to the heart of the Studentenwerk Leipzig, which in view of the increasing shortage of living space, makes an important contribution to a successful start to studies for Leipzig students.
Every October, when the winter semester begins, more than 6,000 first-year students are looking for affordable housing at the same time. Since our halls of residence are very busy during this time, many students are faced with a major challenge: They want to study in Leipzig, but cannot find affordable accommodation.
This is where RaumTeiler comes in: We want to make the free living space in private households in Leipzig usable for our students. Do you have a room available from October – be it temporary or long-term? By offering ne students a temporary home, you make the start to their studies and life in Leipzig easier. Whether through a cheap rent or in exchange for support in everyday life – be it shopping, childcare or help with household chores. Every room helps and is valued.
RaumTeiler is aimed at all Leipzig residents who not only want to help, but also value the exchange with young, ambitious people. Together we can ensure that Leipzig remains a place where students are welcome and can develop. Studentenwerk Leipzig provides contact between household providers and students looking for accommodation. The rental agreement is concluded directly between both parties.
The project will initially run until the end of 2026. Get involved and support young people on their way to a successful future!
Celina Bohmann
Beratung auch auf Englisch
Room 420
Gutenbergplatz 4
04103 Leipzig
Personal office hours on site
Tuesday
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Telephone office hours
Tuesday
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Offering housing
Free living space can be a lockable room in an apartment or house; a granny flat would also be conceivable. The minimum size of the living space provided is 9m².
RaumTeiler provides for two different forms of providing housing, which can be designed flexibly depending on the possibilities and support needs:
Housing in exchange for affordable, student-friendly rent
- Do you have free living space that you don’t want to rent out long-term, but would like to temporarily welcome a new student into your household when their studies start in October? Or do you have free living space but don’t know how to find a suitable person with whom living together will work well?
- Then RaumTeiler is just right for you. We take your offer and your ideas and convey them to a student who fits your offer and your ideas.
- The living space is rented at a fair rental price without the need for regular household support. This option is ideal if you don’t need help in everyday life, but still want to offer students affordable housing and do something good.
Housing in exchange for support services
- Do you have a free room and could use some support in everyday life? Then RaumTeiler is just right for you. In addition to your ideas about the student who could move in with you, we also record which tasks you would like support with. This could be, for example, housework, childcare, shopping, gardening, language learning support or simply companionship. It is important that these are not care services.
- In return, the students pay a significantly lower rent, which is reduced through their support in everyday life. The additional costs for the room are borne by the students. Together we will find a balance between support and rent payment that suits both sides.
- The rule of thumb is: one hour of help per square metre of room per month. This rule ensures that the assistance provided is in proportion to the living space provided and remains fair and manageable for both parties.
Who can take part in RaumTeiler?
- Housing providers
All private individuals who fulfil the following criteria can provide accommodation:
- a free lockable room with a minimum size of 9m²
- the willingness to live with a young person who comes from Germany or other parts of the world and wants to pursue an academic career in Leipzig
- the willingness to rent out free living space at student-friendly prices or to reduce or waive any rental costs incurred through support services
- Students (tenants)
Student residents can be all persons that fulfil the following criteria:
- a current certificate of enrolment from a university associated with Studentenwerk Leipzig
- openness to living with other people from different generations
- optional: the willingness to provide support services in the household of the person
The following support services would be possible, for example:
- Grocery shopping and/or preparation of meals
- Childcare and/or homework supervision
- Gardening
- Caring for pets
- Accompaniment to doctor’s appointments
- Practising a foreign language or instrument
- Company during walks or cultural events
Note: The support services exclude all nursing and medical activities.
How does the mediation work?
- Housing providers
1. Contact us
- during the telephone consultation hours
- Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Wednesdays: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- by e-mail with a suggested appointment for a telephone or personal meeting and, if applicable, the most important open questions
- via the contact form on the website
2. Application for the mediation via RaumTeiler
Fill in the application form for housing providers:
This contains important information for the housing arrangement process, requirements for the person living with you and any support needs.
How to fill in the application form:
- in personal dialogue
- gladly at your home or
- at the project coordinator’s office or
- by telephone together with the project coordinator
- Have the application form sent to you by post
- Complete and sign the application form online and send it to raumteiler@studentenwerk-leipzig.de
3. The mediation starts
You will receive confirmation that we have received your enquiry.
Our project coordinator will then contact you personally. Together you will view the accommodation and, if desired, discuss the ideas for possible support.
4. Submission of a customised placement proposal
Based on the information provided in the application form, we select the ideal duo from all available applications from accommodation providers and students.
The housing providers are contacted by telephone and informed of the placement proposal. If they accept the proposal and would like to meet the student(s), they can suggest possible dates to the project coordinator. The student will then be informed of the placement proposal. If both parties are interested, the project management will organise a meeting to get to know each other, based on the dates suggested by the person providing the accommodation.
5. First contact and getting to know each other
The initial meeting with the project coordinator ideally takes place at the home of the person providing the accommodation or in the project coordinator’s office. If desired, further meetings can be arranged without the project coordinator to get to know each other better.
6. Decision and conclusion of contract
Once you have decided whether the living arrangement is an option for you, please follow these steps:
Communication of your decision
Inform the project coordinator of your decision by telephone or e-mail.
If yes:
- Inform the interested person that she/he can move in with you.
- Draw up a tenancy agreement for the shared accommodation.
If no:
- Let the project coordinator know why the placement is not suitable. This information will help us to make better suggestions.
- You will be informed as soon as a new, suitable proposal is available.
7. Guidance and support from the Studentenwerk
Mrs Bohmann, the project coordinator, is available as a contact person for questions and/or in the event of conflict if this cannot be resolved by the living duo themselves.
- during the telephone consultation hours
- Students
1. Contact us
- during the telephone consultation hours
- Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Wednesdays: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- by e-mail with a suggested appointment for a telephone or personal meeting and, if applicable, the most important open questions
- via the contact form on the website
- Visit the open consultation hours on Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
2. Application for the mediation via RaumTeiler
Fill in the application form for students:
This contains important information for the housing arrangement process to requirements for the living space and any possible support needs.
How to fill in the application form:
- in personal dialogue
- at the project coordinator’s office or
- by telephone together with the project coordinator
- Have the application form sent to you by post
- Complete and sign the application form online and send it to raumteiler@studentenwerk-leipzig.de
3. The mediation starts
You will receive confirmation that we have received your enquiry.
The project coordinator will then contact you by phone or in person to discuss your profile.
4. Submission of a customised placement proposal
Based on the information provided in the application form, we select the ideal duo from all available applications from accommodation providers and students.
The housing providers are contacted by telephone and informed of the placement proposal. If they accept the proposal and would like to meet the student(s), they can suggest possible dates to the project coordinator. The student will then be informed of the placement proposal. If both parties are interested, the project management will organise a meeting to get to know each other, based on the dates suggested by the person providing the accommodation.
5. First contact and getting to know each other
The initial meeting with the project coordinator ideally takes place at the home of the person providing the accommodation or in the project coordinator’s office. If desired, further meetings can be arranged without the project coordinator to get to know each other better.
6. Decision and conclusion of contract
Decide, whether a living arrangement is possible for you or not:
If yes:
- Let us know that you would like to move in via telephone or e-mail.
- Inform the housing provider that you are interested.
- The housing provider will draw up a tenancy agreement which includes the cost and any agreed on support services.
If no:
- Let us know that the arrangement does not fit you via telephone or e-mail.
- Please leave a short explanaition for us why it did not work out for you so that we can improve our mediation.
- As soon as a new living space is available we will inform you.
7. Guidance and support from the Studentenwerk
Mrs Bohmann, the project coordinator, is available as a contact person for questions and/or in the event of conflict if this cannot be resolved by the living duo themselves.
- during the telephone consultation hours
What rights and obligations are there within a housing agreement?
In a housing agreement both the housing providers and the students have certain rights and obligations. Here is an overview to help you understand them clearly:
Rights of the housing providers:
- Reliability and respect: You have the right to be treated reliably and respectfully by students.
- Fulfilment of agreements: If certain support services have been agreed, you can expect them to be reliably provided.
Obligations of the housing providers:
- Safe living space: You must provide a safe and well-maintained living space.
- Respect for privacy: It is important to respect the privacy and personal needs of students.
Rights of the students:
- Appropriate living conditions: You have the right to an appropriate standard of housing, respectful treatment and protection of privacy.
- Clear agreements: You should know what is expected of you.
Obligations of the students:
- Fulfilment of agreements: You pay your rent on time and if household or other support services are agreed, you fulfil them to the best of your ability.
- Comply with the house rules: Abide by the house rules and treat the housing providers with respect.
I live in a rented apartment and would like to participate in RaumTeiler as housing provider. How does it work?
If you live in a rented flat and would like to participate in RaumTeiler, it is important to note that subletting living space is subject to authorisation. Landlords cannot generally refuse to allow another person to move in if they have a legitimate interest. You should therefore clarify in advance with your landlord whether it is possible to enter a living agreement with a tenant.
If subletting is permitted, you are welcome to register with us at Studentenwerk Leipzig. We will help you fill out the application form and are available to answer any questions you may have about the procedure.