Demand is high, listings are scarce, viewings are a mass gathering - what are we talking about? Exactly - about the Hamburg apartment search. Is it actually still possible today, in 2025, to commission an estate agent at all? Not to buy a house or an apartment, but to rent an apartment?

The answer is: Yes.

However, there are a few hurdles that we want to address in this article.

Commissioning an estate agent: is that even still possible?

Yes, you can commission an estate agent and thereby find a rental apartment in Hamburg. In theory. In practice, hardly any estate agent still offers this service. But why is that? The answer lies in a law that has applied since 2015.

The commissioning principle: a law with side effects

In the past it was normal for tenants to have to pay an estate agent's commission. Even when the estate agent was commissioned by the landlord. But that changed in 2015. Since then, the commissioning principle (Bestellerprinzip) applies: whoever orders the estate agent also has to pay them.

That means:

  • If the landlord commissions an estate agent, the landlord has to bear the costs.
  • If you as the tenant commission an estate agent, you have to pay the commission.

In Hamburg, the estate agent's commission is 2.38 months' rent (incl. VAT).

Many tenants would, because of the tight housing market, be willing to pay this commission - but there is a problem.

Why do hardly any estate agents offer this service?

In theory, an estate agent could become active for you, search for an apartment and help you. But in practice, only a few do this. There are mainly two reasons for this:

  • Estate agents earn more with landlords - many landlords are willing to pay estate agents for the brokerage. That is easier and more lucrative for estate agents.
  • Lack of exclusive apartments - an estate agent can only access apartments that aren't already publicly listed to a limited extent. So they can only offer limited extra value that you couldn't find yourself - unless they have an extremely large network.

In summary, the commissioning-principle law did what it was supposed to do - relieve the burden on apartment hunters. Unfortunately, however, it also meant that only very few estate agents still offer this service at all.

What alternatives do you have?

If estate agents aren't the solution, what can you do then? Here are some alternatives:

  • Wohnungsbot Hamburg: Our Wohnungsbot makes searching for a rental apartment much easier. It searches 24/7 in real time for new apartment listings and gives you the so-decisive time advantage in the apartment search.
  • Check Facebook groups: In Hamburg there are numerous groups in which apartments are offered by private individuals.
  • Activate your network: Ask friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Apartments are often passed on under the table.
  • Join cooperatives: Hamburg housing cooperatives offer affordable apartments, but have waiting lists.
  • Comb through newspaper ads: Private landlords in particular often advertise the classic way in the newspaper.

Is an estate agent worth it for apartment hunting in Hamburg?

Commissioning an estate agent for apartment hunting in Hamburg is theoretically possible, but impractical. Estate agents have little incentive to offer this service. Instead, you should become active yourself and use various channels to find an apartment.