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.

New Roommate Moving In: Adjusting Costs and Contracts | Roommate Calculator

The Financial Side of a Flatmate Change

When a flatmate moves out and a new one moves in, the financial implications go beyond the next month's rent. There are deposits to settle, utility bill shares to pro-rate, shared expenses to close out, and standing orders to update. A smooth transition requires a checklist approach -- handle each item systematically, and no one ends up feeling shortchanged.

This guide covers the financial and practical steps for a flatmate change in a German WG, from the departing flatmate's final settlement to the new arrival's first contribution.

Step 1: Settle Outstanding Expenses

Before the departing flatmate hands over the keys, settle all shared expenses. Go through your expense tracking (app, spreadsheet, or our calculator's Settle Up tab) and finalize the balance. If the departing person owes money, collect it. If the WG owes them money, pay it. Do not leave balances open -- it is remarkably difficult to collect EUR 47.50 from a former flatmate three months later.

What to Include

Outstanding grocery and household expenses, their share of the current month's rent (pro-rated if they leave mid-month), any shared subscriptions paid in advance (streaming services, gym memberships on shared accounts), and cleaning costs if the WG agreed on a move-out cleaning fee.

Step 2: Handle the Deposit (Kaution)

In many WGs, the outgoing flatmate's deposit situation depends on the lease structure.

Hauptmieter Model

If one person is the main tenant (Hauptmieter) and others are subtenants (Untermieter), the Hauptmieter holds the landlord's deposit and collects individual deposits from subtenants. When a subtenant leaves, the Hauptmieter returns their deposit -- ideally at move-out, or within a reasonable period (typically 3-6 months) if deductions for damages are possible.

All-Names-on-Lease Model (Gemeinsamer Mietvertrag)

If all WG members are joint tenants, the deposit is held by the landlord. Replacing one person on the lease requires the landlord's consent. The deposit is not returned until the entire tenancy ends. In practice, the new flatmate pays their deposit share to the departing flatmate directly, and the landlord's deposit remains unchanged.

The Internal Deposit

Many WGs collect a small internal deposit (one month's share of rent) from each new member. This covers potential damages to shared furniture, unpaid final expenses, or the gap between move-out and the Nebenkostenabrechnung. Return it once the annual utility settlement is completed and no claims remain.

Step 3: Pro-Rate the Nebenkosten

The annual Nebenkostenabrechnung covers the full calendar year (or lease year). When a flatmate leaves mid-year, they are responsible for their share of the months they lived there. Since the actual bill arrives months later, there are two approaches.

Estimate and Settle Later

Calculate the departing person's estimated share based on last year's Nebenkosten. Collect or pay the estimated amount at move-out. When the actual bill arrives, calculate the exact share and settle the difference. This requires keeping the departing flatmate's contact information and bank details.

Final Settlement at Move-Out

Accept the imprecision and use last year's Nebenkosten as the final figure. This is simpler and avoids the need for follow-up. Most WGs choose this approach because the difference between estimated and actual costs is usually small (EUR 20-50 per person).

Step 4: Update the Rent Split

If your WG splits rent by room size, the new flatmate inherits the same share as the departing one (assuming they take the same room). If the WG is restructuring rooms -- for example, the new person takes a different room and existing flatmates swap -- recalculate the split using our calculator's Monthly Costs tab.

If the total rent has changed (landlords sometimes increase rent when there is a tenant change), recalculate all shares.

Step 5: Update Standing Orders and Contracts

Go through all recurring payments and update them. Rent transfer: if the departing person was the one paying the landlord, transfer this responsibility. Electricity contract: some providers require notification of tenant changes. Internet: usually no change needed since the contract is with the household. Broadcasting fee (GEZ): if the departing person was registered, the new person should re-register or an existing flatmate should take over. Insurance: if the WG has shared household insurance (Hausratversicherung), update the policyholder information if necessary.

Step 6: The Welcome Package for the New Flatmate

Make the financial onboarding smooth for the new arrival. Prepare a summary of all monthly costs (rent share, Nebenkosten, electricity, internet, GEZ, shared fund), the WG's cost-splitting system (app, spreadsheet, calculator), bank details for transfers, the cleaning schedule, and house rules. This is especially important for international flatmates who may be unfamiliar with German systems like Nebenkosten and GEZ.

Conclusion

A flatmate change is a financial event that requires attention to detail. Settle all outstanding balances before the departure, handle the deposit correctly, pro-rate utility costs fairly, and give the new flatmate a clear picture of their financial obligations. Our calculator handles the math -- the human side is about communication and documentation.