Living here

We clean the shared areas on a regular schedule. Your own room, and the day-to-day tidiness of the kitchen and bathroom, are down to the residents, with a simple rota on the kitchen door.

Of course. Overnight guests are fine and expected. If someone is effectively living with you, meaning more than about 14 nights in a month, we need to agree it in writing, because that changes how many people the home is housing.

Yes: 22:00 to 06:00 every day, and all day on Sundays and public holidays. Germany takes this seriously and so do your neighbours. It applies in the garden too, which catches people out in summer.

Yes, it is for every resident, and there is a lot of it on all sides of the house. Put the furniture back after you use it, barbecue only in the designated spot, and remember quiet hours apply outdoors as well.

Not anywhere indoors, including your own room. There is a designated outdoor area. This applies to vaping too.

Ask us first. Fish and small caged animals are usually fine. Anything larger depends on the house and on the other residents, so it is a conversation rather than a form.

Yes, within reason. Use hooks and picture nails and fill the holes when you leave. Please do not drill into tiles or repaint. You are not expected to repaint when you go.

Report it through the channel we give you at move-in. Emergencies, meaning safety, water, heating in winter or a failed lock, are dealt with the same day. Appliance faults and blockages within two working days. Everything else within ten.

Not without at least 24 hours' notice, at a reasonable time, and only for a repair, an inspection, or a viewing when you are leaving. The single exception is a genuine emergency such as a leak or a fire.

It is not compulsory but we strongly recommend personal liability insurance, which is inexpensive in Germany and covers you if you accidentally damage something. Contents insurance is worth it if you have a laptop and a bike. Our building insurance does not cover your belongings.

There are separate bins for paper, packaging, glass, organic waste and residual waste, and the collection days are on the kitchen noticeboard. It looks fussy and then becomes automatic within a fortnight. Ask a housemate rather than guessing.