Housing pressure is real in many university cities, but pressure is also what rental fraud relies on. Begin with two parallel plans: a credible temporary address for arrival and a slower search for a room or flat you can inspect properly.
Know what kind of offer you are reading
A Studentenwohnheim is generally managed by a student-services organisation or another provider and may have a long waiting list. A WG is a shared flat, often with an interview to check whether daily habits fit. A Zwischenmiete is a sublet for a defined period. Each solves a different problem.
Ask before committing
Confirm the full monthly payment, deposit, contract dates, furniture, utilities, internet, notice period, house rules and whether you can receive a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung for address registration. Ask who the legal landlord is and whether a sublet has permission.
Never treat a passport image, polished video or foreign bank account as proof by itself. Be cautious if viewing is impossible, the story changes, the price is far below comparable rooms, or money is demanded through gift cards or untraceable transfers.
Read the location as part of the price
Check the door-to-door trip at the time you would travel, not only distance on a map. A room outside the centre may work well if the regional train is frequent; a cheaper room can become costly if the connection ends early or requires extra tickets.
Keep copies of the listing, messages, signed agreement and payment record. If uncertainty remains, pause and ask the university housing office, student services, a tenants’ association or qualified legal adviser.