CROCODILIAN - Your Key to Berlin | Temporary Apartments

Crocodilian

Tenants

Owners

Furnished Apartments in Berlin
FAQ for Tenants


1. Procedure of renting Apartment or Room

1.a.)
How does the rental service work ?

Searching
Please go on "Search"  and fill in your dates, prices etc. If you don't find what you are looking for an our website, please fill in the request form and please give us detailed information. 

Found something you are interested in?
Please go on " I am interested in this offer" at the bottom of the expose of each object. Please fill in the form. Read here why we need your credit card details when you apply.

Contacting the Owner
As soon as we have received your application, we try to get in touch with the landlord or the landlady. You will then receive all contact details and arrange everything with them (eg. viewing the flat, deposit, payment etc.) All flats listed on our site or private flats and most are only available for a limited period of time, since the owners wants to return to their home. When you apply, there is no guarantee, that you will get the place. Somebody else might also be interested - e.g. for a longer period of time etc. So if we receive your application, we always have to get in touch with the landlords first and introduce you.   

Then get in touch with Crocodilian: Please let us know what you have arranged with the landlord or landlady - if you want to rent the flat or not- afterwards.

Contract
The contract will be concluded between you and the landlord or the landlady. Crocodilian-Rooms in Berlin provides contracts in English and German. Very soon, we will also offer online contracts, which will make things even easier. Please read all information about the rental contract. 

Payment
You pay the rent to the landlord and the commission fee to us. Read all information about the payment of the rent and the commission fee.

Quality Check
We appreciate your Feedback: After you have moved to the place, you will receive a feedback form by email. We really appreciate your feedback- you can rate the quality of the flat, our service and the handling by the landlord or landlady. 

 

1.b.)
Which apartments are available ?
All apartments on our website, which come up in your search results, are available. This means, no rental agreements have been signed yet. But it is possible that other applicants have also requested a certain property. In order to tell you, if you have any chances of securing the apartment, we need an application with your details. We always have to introduce applicants to the landlord. Length of rental, number of tenants are most often the decisive factors.
1.c.)
Is it possible to view an Apartment ?
It is often possible to view a apartment, but not always. Most flats are rented out to other tenants, and landlords most often only arrange a view viewing. Sometimes the apartment is only shown after the tenant has moved out. It most often depends on your rental period of you view the flat or not. A viewing is hardly ever possible more than one month before you plan to move in. Before we can arrange a viewing, we also need an application with all your details, because the landlords usually wants information about you in advance.
1.d.)
How and when is the rental contract concluded ?
The rental agreement is between you and the landlord. Crocodilian is not a third party, but we are brokers. All information on the exposes are given to us by the landlors. Please make sure that import things - like DSL, beds etc, are still correct.
You can conclude the rental agreement online - Crocodilian Rooms in Berlin provides bilingual rental contracts. All information will be send to you
1.e.)
How much in advance should I apply for an object ?

This is hard to say. If you are looking for a longer rental, it makes sense to apply earlier. Even if you are looking for an accommodation for a shorter period of time, you can sometimes rent months in advance, e.g. when it says on the website that an apartment is available June 1 and you want to rent from June 1. But this the owner might not commit to a new contract, since the current tenant might extend the lease.
If an apartment is available April 1 and you want to rent from June 1, your chances are not so good. Also, if you want to rent from June 25. In this case, you must be prepared to pay the full month.
If you want to rent an apartment for a short period of time months n advance, please check our new websites:
- Vacation rentals Berlin: Fast and easy booking, without dealing with the owner in advance. You can book any period of time, not only the whole month.
- Serviced Apartments Berlin  Professionally managed high quality apartments, ideal for buisness travellers.
Both new websites will be availabl March 2010  

1.f.)
Can I apply last minute?
Yes, you can, but we recommend to send your application 2-4  weeks before you plan to move in. Otherwise most flats will already be gone
1.g.)
Is it possible to wait with ma application until I am in Berlin ? Can I come to the Crocodilian office ?
If you want to secure a good and centrally located apartment, you should not wait with your application until you arrive in Berlin. Even if you want to view first, you should get in touch with the landlord before. It is possible to come to our office to apply, but it is much faster if you do it online. It always takes one or two days until we have heard from landlords and most often it won't be possible to arrange anything immediately.
1.h.)
Can I rent an apartment for any period of time ?

Most apartments are rented out on a monthly basis (from the 1rst until the 31st of the month) If you arrive later, you have better chances if you are prepared to pay for the full month. 
Please note, it is most often not possible to rent from e.g. Jan 18 until Feb 17 and pay for one month only. There are exceptions though - if you rent for one year, owners will be a bit more flexible. Especially during high season, most owners only rent out their properties for the whole month.   
Owners normally rent out for one year maximum. Sometimes it is possible to extend the contract.   

1.i.)
How often is the website updated ?
The website is updated every hour. Please always check availability before you apply for an object.

2. Application and personal Details

2.a.)
Why do I have to fill in the application form ?
All apartments and room online are available. But it is not possible to book immediately. We always have to introduce you to the landlord or the landlady. He or she has to agree to the rental period etc.  Sometimes there are more potential tenants - then we will let you know what your chances are and send you alternatives. As soon as we have your application form, we will start searching an apartment for you. In order to introduce you to the landlord, we need personal information from you, since landlords always want to know, who would like to rent his or her apartment. And you also have to agree to our terms and conditions.  
2.b.)
Do I have to send an application for each object I am interested in ?
No. It is not necessary to fill in the application form more than once. It is enough, if we receive your data once. In your application form, you can give us the other object IDs you are interested in, but you can also just send an email.
 
2.c.)
Why do I have to give my credit card details when sending the application ?
Booking a private accommodation works differently than booking a hotel room. The contract is concluded between the landlord and the tenant and both parties have to agree. So if you are interested in a place, there is no guarantee that you will actually get it. Another person might be interested in the same object for a longer time, etc. If you apply, we always have to call the landlord, introduce you and ask if he or she is interested in renting out their apartment or room to you. We also have to call, if you have questions regarding the apartment and this information is not answered on the website. We need to know what you are looking for and we need proof of your identity, which can only be given by your credit card details. They are automatically checked and you can only apply if you have a valid credit card. Owners want to know who the potential tenant is and they also want tenants who are able to pay the rent. Before the rental is agreed, you also get the contact details of the landlord or the landlady and we can only do this if we have your credit card details as a kind of deposit. Your credit card details are sent through an SSL secure connection and not even we have access to the details.  

3. Fees, Rent and Payment

3.a.)
What is the commission fee ?

If you find an apartment or room through "Crocodilian" we will charge you a commission based on the following conditions - Status from 03.08.2010: The maximum fee for flats is 165% of the monthly rent

Rental period one monthly rent + tax VAT(19%) 
 1 month  25% = 29,75% 
 2 months  45% = 53,55% 
 3 months  65% = 77,35% 
 4 months  85% = 101,15% 
 5 months  105% = 124,95% 
 6 months  125% = 148,75% 
 7 months  145%   = 172,55%
 8 months and longer  165% = 196,35%
 less than 1 month: 25% of total agreed rent, at least 50€+VAT 
3.b.)
How is the commission fee calculated ?

Please arrange the rent with the landlord, because you conclude the rental agreement with him. Crocodilian-Rooms is not a third party, but we are brokers.
The rent sometimes depends on when you move in? If you want to rent from, e.g, the 10th of the month, you sometimes have to pay the full month, sometimes you haven't. This often depends on the length of your rental and on the number of other applicants.

Example: Apartment - 500€/month

rental 1 month: the commission fee is 25% of 500= 125 + 19% VAT = 148,75 €
rental 1,5 month: the fee is 32,5% of 500 = 162,50 + 19 % VAT = 193,37 €  
rental 3 month: the fee is 60 % of 500 = 300 + 19 % VAT = 357,00 € 
rental 1 year of longer: fee is 160 % of 500 = 800 + 19% VAT = 952,00

3.c.)
When will my credit card be debited ?
After you have concluded the rental agreement - Crocodilian always provides forms, which can be filled in online - you will get an invoice from us. This invoice is always be sent by email. Please make sure that you have enough funds on your credit card. If you would like to know what you will pay, please use our commission fee calculator.  
In your own interest - please make sure that you always get a written rental agreement. It is important that owners and tenants agree on all issues - deposit, option to extend the lease or not, exact rent, move out time etc.      
3.d.)
What is included in rent mentioned on website ?
The rent mentioned on the website, normally includes all utilities. If anything is calculated extra, like DSL or electricity, it should also be mentioned in the expose. All information are given to us by the owners. If you receive the contact details from us, you should always get a confirmation from the owner that the rent mentioned on the website, is what you will actually pay. In most cases, the information is correct, but sometimes it can happen that owners forgot to tell us that the rent has gone up etc.
The commission fee is not included in the rent and is always calculated extra.     
3.e.)
How and when do I have to pay for the rent and fee ?

You pay the rent and the deposit to the owner or landlord, the commission fee to us. Before we debit your credit card, you will get an invoice by email, which will be send to the email address which you gave us on your application form.
The fee is due immediately. It is payable once and cannot be paid in monthly installments.
Please arrange the payment with the owner - sometimes you pay in cash on arrival (please make sure that you get a receipt), if you live within an EU-country with Euro currency, you can transfer the money with a Euro standard form, which is free of charge. Please note that you cannot pay the rent or deposit by credit card.
Normally, you pay the deposit when the contract has been concluded. And the first rent before you move in. You always pay the rent in advance. Please also speak to the owner about the payment.
If you rent for a short period, you might have to pay the rent for the whole period in advance.

 

3.f.)
Do I have to pay anything if I apply for a flat and don\\\'t rent it in the end?
No.
3.g.)
Is it possible to extend the rental agreement ? What is the commission fee ?
Sometimes it is possible to extend the contract, sometimes it isn*t. Please talk to the landlord if you thinik, you might need an extention and arrange everything, day, you have to give notice etc, in your rental agreement.
If you extend your stay in on apartment, you will get another invoice from us, but it won't be more expensive than booking a longer period straight away 
3.h.)
Is the rent, stated in the expose, calculated per flat or per person ?
The rent stated on the website, is calculated for the use of the apartment, sometimes is says that you pay extra for an additional person.
3.i.)
Can Crocodilian send me an estimate of the costs ?
Crocodilian does not send estimates of costs. All information about the rent has been given to us by the landlords and we can't give you an quarantee that you will get the apartment for this price. Sometimes, e.g. if you want to rent for less time than the minimum rental period, you might be charged more. The rent always has to be negotiated with the landlord.
Crocodilian will charge the fee according do our commission fee table. You can also find out what you will have to pay by using our commission fee calculator. The actual sum may vary by a few Euro.
3.j.)
What costs are included in the rent ?
If no other costs are mentioned, all bills are included in the rent. But you should always make sure that this is the case. All information on the exposes are given to us by the landlords. In some cases, it could happen, the the price of the rent has gone up due to the rise of costs )gas, electricity). Sometimes landlords also charge a fee for final cleaning - which might also depend on the rental period and number of tenants. Please always ask if their are additional costs which have not been mentioned on the expose.

4. Deposit

4.a.)
What is the deposit ?
The deposit depends on how long you rent the apartment, number of tenants etc. Please negotiate the deposit with the landlord or the landlady. 
4.b.)
When will the deposit be refunded ?
Please make sure that you arrange the refund of the deposit with the landlord before signing the rental agreement. Ideally, you get back the deposit the day you move out. Or it will be transfer to your account or sent by Paypal shortly afterwards. If you have used the telephone, you will get back the deposit after the last telephone bill has arrived. If you want to use the telephone, you should be aware that you might receive the rest of your deposit one month late

5. Quality Control

5.a.)
Does Crocodilian have quality control ?

Yes. The day, you move in, you will receive a small questionaire from us, where you can rate the apartment, the dealing of the landlord and our service.
We have been working together with most landlords for longer period of time and know that they are reliable. If you should have any complaints, we will get in touch with the landlord and try to sort out the problem.

 

6. More Questions

6.a.)
Is Berlin a dangerous city? Which areas are save ?
Compared to other big cities, Berlin is safe. Which does not mean that anybody should be careless. But armed robbery and mugging are no common occurrences. Crocodilian only offers flat in central areas, and all of them are safe.
6.b.)
How long do I travel by public transport from flat to certain place ?
Please check the website of S-Bahn Berlin. There you find a journey planner and detailed information on how  long it takes to travel from door to door  
6.c.)
What is the minimum, what is the maximum rental period?
The minimum rental period differs, depending on the object. 
On this website, we offer furnished apartments which are rented out on a mnthly basis (with only a few exceptions). If you want to rent for a shorter period of time, please check our new website Vacation rentals Berlin, which will be online at the end of May at the latest.
The maximum rental period normally is 1 year. In some cases, you may be able to extend the contract after one year, but this cannot be guaranteed. Owners do not want tenants who stay for a longer period of time. 

Crocodilian - Furnished Flats and Rooms to rent in Berlin