How do you split rent fairly in a shared apartment?

The fairest method is splitting by room size: everyone pays proportionally to their room's area. Common areas (kitchen, bathroom, hallway) are split equally. Our calculator does this automatically.

What are utility costs and how are they split in a WG?

Utility costs include heating, water, waste disposal, caretaker, and insurance. They're typically split equally since consumption in shared spaces can't be measured individually.

Who pays the broadcasting fee in a shared apartment?

The broadcasting fee (EUR 18.36/month) is charged per household, not per person. In a shared flat, it's typically split equally. Officially, the person who registered is liable.

How does the annual utility bill work in a WG?

The annual settlement compares advance payments with actual costs. The additional payment or credit is split among everyone who lived there during the billing period — proportionally by months.

What happens when a flatmate moves out?

When moving out, utility costs are calculated proportionally. The departing flatmate only pays for the months they actually lived there. Outstanding expenses should be settled beforehand.

Does rent always have to be split equally?

No! Equal splitting is only fair when all rooms are the same size and equally attractive. With different room sizes, splitting by square metres is more equitable.

What's the easiest way to split groceries in a WG?

Best practice is to collect all expenses over a period (e.g., one month) and then settle up. Our Settle Up tab does exactly that: everyone enters what they paid, and the calculator determines the minimum number of transfers.

What apps are good for WG expense tracking?

Popular apps include Splitwise, Tricount, and Flatastic. Our roommate calculator offers a free alternative right in the browser — no registration, no data storage.

How do you avoid money conflicts in a shared apartment?

Clear rules from the start: rent by room size, utilities equally, regular settlement of shared expenses. Transparency and a fixed settlement system prevent 90% of conflicts.

Can you deduct shared apartment costs from taxes?

Partially: craftsman services and household services (e.g., stairwell cleaning) can be partially deducted. Rent itself isn't deductible for private individuals, except for a home office.

Creating a Cleaning Schedule for Your Shared Apartment | Roommate Calculator

Why a Cleaning Schedule Matters

Ask any long-term WG resident what causes the most arguments and the answer is usually one of two things: noise or cleaning. Money disputes can be solved with calculators and spreadsheets, but cleaning is inherently subjective. What counts as clean enough? How often should the bathroom be scrubbed? Who cleans the kitchen after a shared dinner?

A Putzplan (cleaning schedule) does not solve all these problems, but it does solve the biggest one: accountability. When responsibilities are assigned and visible, the passive-aggressive note on the fridge becomes unnecessary.

Types of Cleaning Schedules

The Rotation System

Each flatmate is assigned a zone (kitchen, bathroom, hallway/common areas) and rotates weekly or biweekly. This is the most popular system in German WGs. Advantages: everyone does every task over time, no one gets stuck with the worst job permanently. Disadvantages: requires discipline to rotate on schedule, and different people have different standards for the same task.

The Fixed-Zone System

Each person is permanently responsible for one area. Person A always cleans the bathroom, Person B always does the kitchen, Person C handles floors and hallway. Advantages: each person develops ownership of their area and a routine. Disadvantages: some zones require more work than others, and if someone dislikes their zone, resentment builds.

The Task-Based System

Instead of zones, specific tasks are listed: vacuum common areas, clean bathroom sink and toilet, clean kitchen counters and stovetop, take out trash, mop floors. Tasks are assigned weekly by rotation. Advantages: granular and fair, since tasks can be balanced by effort. Disadvantages: more complex to manage, and tasks might be done on different days, leaving areas partially clean.

Creating Your WG Cleaning Schedule

Step 1: List All Tasks

Walk through the apartment and list every recurring cleaning task. Be specific: not just 'clean kitchen' but 'wipe counters and stovetop,' 'clean sink,' 'mop floor,' 'empty fridge of expired items.' Include frequency: weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

Step 2: Estimate Effort

Assign a rough effort level to each task: light (5-10 minutes), medium (15-20 minutes), or heavy (30+ minutes). This helps balance assignments so no one consistently gets all the heavy tasks.

Step 3: Agree on Standards

This is the hardest part. Discuss what 'clean' means for each area. Does 'clean the bathroom' include scrubbing the shower tiles, or just the toilet and sink? How clean does the stovetop need to be? Set minimum standards everyone can agree on. Writing these down may feel excessive, but it prevents arguments later.

Step 4: Choose a Format

A physical chart on the fridge works well because it is always visible. Use a whiteboard or printed template with names and weeks. Digital alternatives include shared Google Sheets, the Flatastic app (which has a built-in cleaning schedule feature), or a shared calendar with recurring events.

Step 5: Build in Flexibility

Life happens. Allow task swaps between flatmates and agree on a deadline (e.g., tasks must be completed by Sunday evening). If someone is traveling, their tasks shift to the following week or are temporarily covered by others.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Different Cleanliness Standards

The most common issue. One person scrubs the bathroom until it gleams, another gives it a quick wipe. Solution: agree on minimum standards in writing during a WG meeting. Focus on hygiene (toilet, sink, kitchen surfaces) rather than cosmetic perfection.

Free-Riding

One person consistently skips their turn or does a poor job. Solution: make the schedule visible (fridge chart) and discuss during regular WG meetings. Peer accountability works better than nagging. Some WGs introduce a penalty system -- miss your turn and you buy the next round of toilet paper or cleaning supplies.

Scope Creep

The schedule starts with basics but gradually expands to include window cleaning, oven scrubbing, and defrosting the freezer. Solution: keep the regular schedule limited to weekly essentials. Handle deep cleaning tasks as one-off group events (a quarterly WG cleaning day works well).

Cleaning Supplies: Who Buys What?

Cleaning supplies are a shared cost. The simplest approach: include them in your shared expense tracking (our calculator's Settle Up tab). Whoever buys dish soap, sponges, toilet cleaner, or bin bags logs the expense, and it is settled at the end of the month. Alternatively, maintain a small shared fund (EUR 5-10 per person per month) specifically for cleaning and household supplies.

Conclusion

A cleaning schedule is not about being rigid or controlling -- it is about preventing the slow build-up of resentment that poisons WG life. Start simple, write it down, make it visible, and review it periodically. The best Putzplan is the one your WG actually follows, not the most elaborate one on paper.