We recommend looking for accommodation as early as possible. If you don’t have a friend or a relative you can stay with, we suggest you find a temporary room/flat. If you are looking for a permanent place, keep in mind that most apartments are not furnished. It could also be helpful to check cities near Bochum like Essen, Dortmund, Herne, Hattingen and Witten. The Ruhrgebiet is all quite closely connected and public transport is available.
The RUB offers accomodation for international researchers. University Housing is limited but do check with your chair and Beate Seidemann, you might be in luck!
There are flats but also single rooms and houses for families. Theses accomodations are usually fully funished.
Another option is private housing. The RUB has compiled information on the Private Housing market.
If you are looking for a permanent place, keep in mind that most apartments are not furnished.
Websites to check could be:
Rental contracts may differ from the ones in your home country. We have put a list together with some information to keep in mind, when looking for rentals and before signing any contracts. Find the list here.
Every person that resides in Germany for more than three months is required to register. The registration has to take place within two weeks of entering Germany or moving in Germany at the Citizens' Office (Bürgerbüro) in your city of residence. To be able to "check-in" in Town Hall, you need a passport or equivalent document and a “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” - a signed affirmation of your landlord/lady. Sometimes the office might also ask to see your rental contract. Further documents you might need: for children, you'll need an original birth certificate with a certified German translation and married couples will need their original marriage certificate with certified German translation. If you live in Bochum, you can make appointments with the Bürgerbüro.
Remember: Whenever you change your address, you have to inform the Bürgerbüro in person. When you have registered, you will receive a confirmation that you have registered. Please keep the registration document, as you will need it! At the end of your stay you must deregister if you are leaving Germany (Abmeldung) - at the earliest one week before your departure.