Pandekage

I‘m currently working in Germany full time, and while I don‘t have really much savings right now (€11k) I think I have to start working my money in an appreciating manner that at least keeps pace with inflation. My savings is in a Deutsche Bank konto from my student days; I assume the interest rate is abyssmal.   What are the options for me? Are there any high-interest savings accounts that major banks offer? I‘ve heard of investing in ETFs or whatnot, but I‘ve also heard that as a US citizen most options are closed to me.

I'm covered under TK, unfortunately without supplementary dental insurance, and I was recently informed about a serious case of periodontal disease (Parodontose) and recessed gums. Assuming this is medically necessary, how much does TK cover for the treatment(s)? Couldn't find info on their website.   And in addition, is it possible or worthwhole to get dental insurance with these preexisting conditions? (I have several minor fillings, as well as a root canal... yeah my teeth are a mess) If so I'm assuming I'd have higher premiums, and severely endangered teeth would not be covered.

I found something in my contract:    "Dem Untermieter ist bekannt, dass die Untervermieter selbst Mieter sind und dass der Untermieter gegenüber dem Eigentümer der Wohnung und Vermieter keinen Kündigungsschutz genießt."   What does this mean for me?

Thanks, I'll check with the Mieterverein tomorrow but looks like I don't have to stress too much.

I hope that's true... still, I did read somewhere that there's an exception if the space needs to be given to family members or something. I'd be really pissed if I didn't have Kündigungsrecht but the woman did.

If I can pose a quick legal (and moral question) about a pretty prickly scenario, if you guys don't mind:   I'm currently a subtenant of a room in a 2er WG; it's furnished and the contract lasts until the end of August. The woman who I'm subletting from is doing a study year abroad, hence the room's availability. I'm living currently with her boyfriend as flatmate.   Last week the boyfriend informed me (verbally) that due to the corona crisis the woman is going to fly back to Germany at the end of May and will need her room back. Shitty scenario on all sides, but understandable. I open WG-Gesucht back up and go hunting. Finally I find an offer yesterday, I accept (via text), and I'm excited and whatnot and go to inform the boyfriend.   Surprise! Turns out the girlfriend is actually staying until the end of June, since apparently the authorities are processing her visa and she can stay during. If it's denied, she's departing then, at the end of June. If not, she stays until the end of August as previously specified.   Sooo that means I apparently have to be on the WG search for TWO additional possible move-out dates, one for June and one for August. I'm generally understanding of the situation, but she's the one who's got a home to return to and I'm the one going to be constantly stressing about finding a place over the next two months. So, the question is, what's the Kündigungsfrist for my situation - limited duration (befristet), furnished WG room? Can I give notice early? If not, can the Vermieter give notice on her side, or can I legally stay until the end of August without worrying about eviction? Thanks so much... I am part of the Mieterverbund so I'm calling first thing tomorrow.   PS. The contract says nothing about giving notice (Kündigungsrecht), just the limited duration to August.    

Will do! But is there anything suspicious about mailing the contract?

I'm currently searching for a WG room in my large city, and found on wg-gesucht a decent enough offer for a Zweck-WG. I contacted the flat owner, and we had a pleasant discussion on the phone, after which she invited me to visit and view the WG. Because she doesn't live in the city, the two current residents of the WG showed me around - a bit offstandish, but hey, it's a Zweck-WG. They seemed friendly enough. I decided to accept the offer, and now the first red flag went up when she said she'd send me the contract via mail, and to let her know my current contact details.   But is this a red flag? It isn't unreasonable that a flat owner doesn't live in the same city as the flat, and given the pandemic isn't inclined to travel over. Still, I wanted to pass this by you guys - does it smell of a scam, and should I insist on a particular procedure for the contract, security deposit, key transfer? Should I insist on returning the signed contract in person?

Partly due to being pretty tired of WG living, and partly because I don't wanna sign a crapload of contracts myself, I've been looking at possibilities for microapartments or studio apartment complexes in Hamburg as an option, as I have to find a new place in a month. I'm currently seriously considering this place: https://hposten.de/apartments/ While the rent is certainly higher than in a WG, it follows the 1/3 salary rule, plus it's one rent that's all-inclusive. I am wondering if there are other such complexes available in Hamburg.

I don't think I could be a Hauptmieter and be responsible for rooms besides my own, but I take it she has a standard 3 month notice period?

Currently WG hunting again, and some good offers require that I take up the lease from a departing subtenant (become a Nachmieter). If I understand correctly, I'll be dealing with the landlord directly with the contracts, and the notice period is extended to 3 months, which if I'm working here for at least a year should be fine if I plan well enough. But are there any hidden caveats and things I should know about being Nachmieter for a room in a WG? If and when I do decide to leave and give 3 months notice, am I on the hook for finding a replacement tenant, or does the landlord do that?   Addendum: On sites, say, WG Gesucht, when it's stated that they want a Nachmieter, do they want a 1) Nachmieter for that room only, or 2) Nachmieter as Hauptmieter for the entire WG, i.e. if the other tenants then bail I'm on the hook for finding replacements for all the rooms and pay all the rent?

I've been working and living in Hamburg for almost a year now; unfortunately my interim WG in central Hamburg is about to end, and I have 1-2 months to find a new place. Thought I'd give commuting a chance and am looking at WG offers in neighboring cities in Niedersachsen and Schleswig-Holstein.   As I've just started by researching Lüneburg, the average seems to be around €300-350/mo compared to €610/mo for my current sublet in HH. Bahn.de offers an IC/EC Monatskarte at €209 (not sure if HVV pass included). All in all it seems like an attractive option; costs aren't drastically lower but the housing competition seems lower (searching in Hamburg and Berlin was killer) and I don't mind the commute.   Thoughts as to what other cities I should look into, especially in terms of comparision between lower rent vs. higher ticket price, and if you're a current commuter into Hamburg, I'd love to hear your story.

Well under normal circumstances I‘d agree with you, but returning to the US unemployed and uninsured in the middle of a pandemic is not a pretty idea. It‘d be optimistic to assume our crisis‘ll be over by August..

Hmm due to a filing blunder 🙈 I do have the Steuererklärungen from full time work onwards. Hopefully I'm not in hot water over this? I was informed I don't need to file tax returns as an Angestellte..?

From 11.2016 to 3.2019 I was a working student (120 full days/year), afterwards a full time Angestellte. Don't have the pay slips from so far back but I was certainly getting taxed.