Before signing a new lease, you must obtain confirmation from the Jobcenter that your monthly rent will be covered. The Job Center must confirm that it will cover your ongoing housing costs if they are reasonable, pursuant to Section 22(4) of SGB II. Reasonableness is assessed based on the applicable rent caps.

The lease agreement is valid even without the job center’s confirmation. Therefore, do not sign the lease agreement until you have received confirmation from the job center that the rent will be covered. Even without this assurance, you are bound by the lease and must pay the rent. Signing a lease or moving without the individual job center’s assurance can have negative financial consequences .

You must move in such a way that you do not have to pay two rents at the same time. Be sure to observe the notice period for your current lease.

Moving may be necessary for various reasons, such as

• starting a job or an apprenticeship
• reducing housing costs, since the current rent exceeds the rent cap
• family reasons, such as the arrival of a new family member, separation, or the need to care for relatives
• a young adult moving out
• health limitations or a disability
• Imminent eviction from the apartment, e.g., termination of lease or eviction order by the landlord

Other reasons may apply. In such cases, you must provide a solid justification for your request to move.

The Jobcenter must agree to cover the cost of housing for individuals under the age of 25 who wish to move out of their parents’ home for the first time, if

• they cannot remain in their parents’ home for serious social reasons (e.g., serious conflicts, being kicked out, or their parents refusing to continue providing material or emotional support)
• the move is necessary to take up gainful employment (e.g., vocational training, work)
• there is a similarly serious reason (e.g., pregnancy, starting a family with a partner, overcrowding in the parental home, separation of the parents, and dissolution of the household)

If this confirmation is not obtained, no housing costs, heating costs, or moving expenses will be covered, and no rent deposit loan will be granted until you turn 25.

If you move from Erlangen to another city or municipality, that city’s or municipality’s reasonableness criteria will apply. Only the local Jobcenter with jurisdiction can issue a guarantee for the new rent.

Please submit the following documents for review of the commitment:

1. Form: Details of the Planned Move
2. Aspecific and fully completed, but unsigned, lease offer (must include at least: new address, landlord’s information, apartment size in square meters, number of people moving in, base rent, utility costs (excluding heating) and heating costs broken down and as a total, other costs and their monthly amounts, energy efficiency rating)
3. Proof of necessity (employment contract, notice of termination, court ruling)

Higher ongoing rent costs for the new apartment cannot be taken into account. Even in the absence of a written commitment, the Job Center will cover the rent, provided it is reasonable. If the rent is unreasonable, the maximum amount recognized will be limited to what was recognized prior to the move. If the move is not necessary, the maximum amount recognized will also be limited to what was recognized prior to the move.

If you have any questions about your move or would like further assistance, please feel free to contact your designated representative or the hotline. You can find the contact information below.

You can find information about coverage of moving and housing search expenses on the Moving Expenses page .