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.

Splitting Rent by Room Size: The Fair Method | Roommate Calculator

The Problem with Equal Rent Splitting

Equal rent splitting is the default in many WGs because it is simple: take the total rent, divide by the number of people, done. But simplicity comes at a cost -- literally. When rooms differ in size, the person in the smallest room subsidizes the person in the largest room. Over the course of a year, this subsidy can add up to hundreds of euros.

Consider a real example from Munich. A two-bedroom WG pays EUR 1,400 Kaltmiete. Room A is 18 sqm, Room B is 12 sqm. Equal split: EUR 700 each. Per square metre: Room A costs EUR 38.89/sqm, Room B costs EUR 58.33/sqm. The person in the smaller room pays 50% more per square metre. If they knew this upfront, would they agree to it?

The Square-Metre Method Explained

The square-metre method splits rent proportionally to room size. The core idea is simple: if you occupy more space, you pay more rent. But the implementation requires a decision about how to handle shared spaces.

Pure Room-Size Method

The simplest version: rent is split purely by private room area. Using the Munich example: total private area is 30 sqm. Room A: (18/30) x EUR 1,400 = EUR 840. Room B: (12/30) x EUR 1,400 = EUR 560. This method is straightforward but arguably overpunishes the person with the larger room, since they also benefit from the shared kitchen and bathroom equally.

Room-Size Plus Equal Shared-Area Method

The more nuanced version separates the apartment into private and shared space. Private space is split by room size; shared space is split equally. This is the method recommended by most German tenants' associations.

Using an example: 75 sqm apartment, Room A 18 sqm, Room B 12 sqm, shared areas 45 sqm. Total rent EUR 1,400. Shared-area rent: (45/75) x EUR 1,400 = EUR 840, split equally = EUR 420 each. Private-area rent: (30/75) x EUR 1,400 = EUR 560. Room A: (18/30) x EUR 560 = EUR 336. Room B: (12/30) x EUR 560 = EUR 224. Final: Room A = EUR 756, Room B = EUR 644. The difference is EUR 112, which reflects the 50% size difference without being extreme.

How to Measure Rooms Correctly

Using the Wohnflaechenverordnung (WoFlV)

Germany has an official regulation for measuring living space. Key rules: standard rooms at full ceiling height count 100%. Areas under sloped ceilings (common in Dachgeschoss apartments): below 1 metre ceiling height = 0%, between 1 and 2 metres = 50%, above 2 metres = 100%. Balconies and terraces count at 25% (or up to 50% for high-quality ones). Unheated basements, attics, and garages do not count.

Practical Measuring Tips

Use a laser measure for accuracy (available for under EUR 30 at any hardware store). Measure each wall at floor level. For irregular rooms, divide into rectangles and sum the areas. Take photos of your measurements and share them with all flatmates to prevent disputes.

Beyond Size: Quality Adjustments

Pure square metres do not capture everything. Some WGs add qualitative adjustments to the room-size split. Common adjustments include: natural light (a south-facing room might carry a 5% premium over a north-facing room of the same size), balcony access (if one room has a private balcony, add 5-10%), noise exposure (street-facing versus courtyard-facing), and built-in furniture or storage (a room with a built-in wardrobe has more usable space).

Keep adjustments simple. One or two factors at most. Over-engineering the formula creates as many arguments as it resolves.

Getting Agreement: The WG Meeting

Introducing room-size-based rent in an existing WG where equal splitting has been the norm requires diplomacy. Present the numbers factually, not accusatorily. Show the per-square-metre comparison. Propose a transition: instead of switching overnight, phase in the new split over three months. If someone feels strongly that their smaller room has compensating advantages (better light, quieter), discuss adjustments.

For new WGs, establish room-size-based rent before anyone chooses a room. This way, the room choice itself becomes the balancing mechanism -- the cheapest room is the smallest, and people self-select based on their budget and space preferences.

Conclusion

Splitting rent by room size is fairer than equal splitting whenever rooms differ in area. The room-size-plus-shared-area method strikes the best balance between precision and simplicity. Measure rooms carefully, agree on any qualitative adjustments upfront, and use our calculator to do the math instantly. Your WG will be better for it.