Bundesportal | Apply for a certificate of eligibility for housing

More Information

Publisher

Lower Saxony

Contact

The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).

Call 115 now

Government service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.

You can apply for a Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS) from your local authority. In Lower Saxony, the districts, independent cities, large independent cities and independent municipalities are responsible for this. You can also obtain the necessary forms there.

The housing entitlement certificate contains information on the entitled persons, compliance with the relevant income limits and the maximum permissible living space.

The certificate of eligibility for housing entitles the holder to move into a subsidized apartment (social housing). There is no legal entitlement to the placement of a corresponding apartment.

The apartment you wish to move into may not exceed the maximum apartment size specified in the WBS.

Some social housing is reserved for a specific group of people. These may be, for example, students, senior citizens (minimum age 60), people with disabilities or large households (at least three children). If you belong to a special group of people, this will also be stated on the certificate of eligibility.

The housing entitlement certificate is usually valid for one year, i.e. you can move into a council apartment within this period. Once the period of validity has expired, you can apply for a new certificate of eligibility. The certificate of eligibility must be handed over to the landlord/landlady when the tenancy agreement is signed.

For written applications

Identity card for German citizens and nationals from the European Community (ID card)
Passport for foreign citizens with a residence permit valid for at least one year

In addition:

Declaration of income from each member of the household who has their own income
Depending on the income earned, appropriate proof must be submitted. This can be, for example
Pay slips from the previous year
Pay slips for the last 12 months
Annual income tax statement for the previous year
Income tax assessment of the previous year

Depending on your personal situation, further documents may also be required:

For example:

Certificate of disability (e.g. for severely disabled people)
Certificate of enrollment (e.g. for students)
BAföGBescheide (for recipients of educational grants)
Pension certificate (e.g. for pensioners)
Proof of benefits from the job center (e.g. for the unemployed)

This list is not exhaustive.

Depending on the case, the administrative staff may require additional documents. If this is the case, you will be contacted immediately.

Forms available: Yes

Personal appearance required: No

Please contact the local authority to which you are applying to find out whether it is possible to apply online.

Antrag auf Erteilung eines Wohnberechtigungsscheins - (Niedersachsen)

Bestätigung des Vermieters über die Wohnberechtigung des Mieters nach § 27 Wohnraumförderungsgesetz

Einkommenserklärung der haushaltsangehörigen Person nach § 5 des Niedersächsischen Wohnraumförderungsgesetz - (Niedersachsen)

Erläuterungen zum Antrag / zur Einkommenserklärung - (Niedersachsen - Stand 8/2011)

Vermieterbestätigung zur Bescheinigung über die Wohnberechtigung - (Niedersachsen)

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Preconditions

German or EU nationality
Other nationality with a residence permit usually valid for at least one year, or individual case decision
Age of majority (or consent of the legal guardian/legal guardian)
Households whose qualifying income does not exceed the income limit. Compliance with the income limit depends primarily on the number of people in the household and the income of all household members. The calculation is generally based on the gross annual income of all persons living in the household for the previous calendar year. In addition, there are exemptions and deductions, for example for people with a recognized severe disability/recognized degree of care.
One of the requirements is that you are not only staying in the Federal Republic of Germany temporarily, but that you have or want to establish your center of life here. The center of your life is the place where you settle permanently, voluntarily, alone or with your family.

Hints

False information can be prosecuted and punished as false certification or fraud. A residence entitlement certificate issued can be revoked if it was issued on the basis of incomplete or incorrect information.

The fee for the decision on the application for a residence entitlement certificate is between EUR 18 and EUR 40.

Basis for legal action

The Lower Saxony Housing and Residential Neighborhood Development Act (NWoFG) applies

Legal Remedies

An appeal can be lodged against the authority's decision. Further information can be found in the notice/ certificate of eligibility for housing.

Procedure

You can apply for a certificate of eligibility for housing:

If you need advice, you can have a personal or telephone consultation with an employee of your local authority before submitting your application.
To apply, fill out the application form digitally or on paper and attach the required documents.
Your application will be checked by the staff at your competent authority. If necessary, you will be asked to answer questions.
After the check, you will receive feedback as to whether or not you are entitled to a housing entitlement certificate. If yes, you will be issued with the certificate of eligibility.

Deadlines

Period of validity:12 month(s)

The residence entitlement certificate is only valid in the federal state in which it is issued and is generally valid for one year. It can be used to move into an apartment within the period of validity.

Processing time

Cannot be specified exactly, as the period varies depending on the municipality, the scope and content of the application and the documents to be checked. Final processing can only take place once all the necessary documents have been submitted.

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