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While looking for flats to rent I saw that someone aks for a SCHUFA. What do I need to do in that case?

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It’s been a while (five years, to be exact) since I last applied for a flat. However, in my limited experience it is not you who provides the Schufa exerpt. Rather, you sign a slip giving the landlord permission to perform a Schufa lookup. The landlord then requests the details, submitting why he needs them, Schufa checks if they have a file on you and if so forwards only the information the landlord needs to know in a rather basic form.

You can also check your own Schufa record. This requires filling out a form from the respective site, printing it, adding a return envelope with your address and sufficient stamps (iirc) and then sending it by mail. They will send you a much more detailed breakdown of their data on you, including who requested a lookup when. Under no circumstances should this extensive data be forwarded to the landlord.

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As a prospective tenant, the landlord is expecting you to obtain a credit report, through the German credit bureau, SCHUFA.

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  • One question: in the second page of the document you linked, they ask for a "copy of official residency certificate", but how do I get it if I am still looking for a flat?
    – Rhei
    Commented Oct 10, 2016 at 19:15
  • Are you in Germany on a visa, and will there for more than three months? If so, foreigners (from outside the EU) apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) at the local Foreigners Office (Ausländerbehörde).
    – Giorgio
    Commented Oct 10, 2016 at 19:30
  • I will move to Germany in a week, but I am still looking for a flat..the fact is that many of the Ads I find on the internet asks for this SCHUFA. I tried contacting the owners even if I do not have a SCHUFA, but they never answer and I though the problem might have been the missing SCHUFA
    – Rhei
    Commented Oct 10, 2016 at 19:34
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    Then check at the German Embassy or consulate in your country to see if you're able to directly apply for a residence permit before you depart for Germany (possible in some locations, not all).
    – Giorgio
    Commented Oct 10, 2016 at 19:41
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    Yes, easier as an EU citizen, you just need a registration certificate (Meldeschein) which you get at the Registry Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in the city neighborhood you intend to settle. Everyone does this, Germans included.
    – Giorgio
    Commented Oct 10, 2016 at 19:53

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