Proof of Income for a WG Application

Hauptmieter want to know that you can pay the rent - that's legitimate. What they're not allowed to do: demand your full bank statements or trace where your money comes from in detail. Here's how to show that you can pay without stripping naked in front of strangers.

What counts as proof of income?

Hauptmieter and landlords generally accept the following documents. Not all are treated as equivalent:

How to prepare the proof

1. Collect payslips (or download as PDF)

   If your employer provides payslips digitally (e.g. DATEV portal, SAP SuccessFactors, Personio), download the last three directly as PDF. For paper payslips: scan with your phone (Adobe Scan or Apple Notes recognises page edges automatically).

   Tip: not a photo - a clean scan

2. Redact sensitive fields

   The Hauptmieter needs: gross salary, net salary, employer, date. They do not need: tax ID (Steuer-ID), social security number, bank details, tax-class details, child benefit amounts.

   Tools for redaction:

   • Adobe Acrobat Reader (free): Tools - Redact - Mark for Redaction - Apply.
   • Apple Preview: Tools - Annotate - Rectangle (with black fill) over the sensitive fields.
   • PDFgear or Foxit: also have free redaction features.

3. Name the file properly

   A clean file name saves both you and the Hauptmieter time later. Recommendation: 2026-Payslip-Mueller-Jan-Mar.pdf. Putting the date at the front sorts files chronologically.

4. Add a watermark

   Add a watermark like "Confidential - For WG application Reuterkiez 04/2026 only". Stops your payslip from drifting into random WhatsApp groups later. Tools: pdfwatermark.com or Adobe Reader - Tools - Watermark.

5. Combine into one PDF

   Instead of sending three separate files, combine all three payslips (and your contract if relevant) into one PDF. Apple Preview: open one PDF, show the sidebar, drag in the others, save the whole thing as one PDF.

What Hauptmieter actually need to see

A payslip has roughly 30 fields. The Hauptmieter only needs four of them:

Edge cases

You're starting a new job

You don't have three payslips yet. Solution:

• Send your signed employment contract (with bank details redacted).
• If your first payslip is already there: include it.
• Add a short sentence: "I signed the contract in March, the first full payslip will arrive at the end of April. I can send it on then."

You're self-employed

Freelancers carry a default suspicion in WG applications - unfairly, but it's how it is. Send:

• Current Steuerbescheid (with watermark, Steuer-ID redacted). The strongest single document.
• BWA for the last 6 months - business account / IBAN redacted.
• Optionally: a confirmation letter from your tax advisor stating average monthly income.

You're a student

For students the bar is lower - but you still have to show where the rent is coming from:

• BAfoG decision (bank details redacted).
• Scholarship confirmation.
• Burgschaft from your parents - a simple letter stating that they transfer X EUR per month or will step in if needed. The Mieterbund has a free template.
• A working-student contract + payslip is also a bonus.

You're moving from abroad and not yet working

Common for internationals and new arrivals. Solution set:

• Employment contract (as soon as it's signed).
• Savings account statement or proof of assets - show only the balance, redact everything else. Tip: a single screenshot from online banking.
• Burgschaft from your parents or a sponsorship letter from your employer - both work wonders.
• A short cover letter in German (or with a German translation alongside) explaining the situation.

If you have no formal income at all

Examples: living off savings, taking a sabbatical, recently laid off. Options:

1. Proof of assets

   Screenshot of a savings account showing enough balance to cover 6 - 12 months' rent. Redact everything except the total and your name.

2. Burgschaft

   A written declaration by a third party (parents, partner with their own income) that they vouch for your rent. The Mieterbund has a free template.

   Mieterbund templates ↗

3. Pre-paid rent

   Offer to pay the first 3 months' rent upfront. Legally, the landlord may not demand more than 3 Kaltmieten as Kaution + advance combined (§ 551 BGB), but a voluntary offer is allowed.

Common questions

Can the landlord demand bank statements?

Legally questionable. Bank statements contain so much inadmissible information (religion via donations to churches, political activity via party fees, health details via pharmacy purchases) that a blanket request can be refused. If a landlord insists: politely point to data-protection law and offer payslips as an alternative.

How recent do the payslips have to be?

Rule of thumb: no older than 3 months. Newer is better. For seasonal or variable income, also include older ones to show the range.

Is a photo of the payslip enough?

Technically it works, but it looks unprofessional and makes redaction harder. Spend the 30 seconds to scan it via Adobe Scan or Apple Notes. It makes a real difference.

What if my income is tight?

Landlords' rule of thumb: net income at least 3 times the Warmmiete (warm rent). If you're below that, balance it with:

• Burgschaft (see above).
• Pre-paid rent for 3 - 6 months.
• Higher Kaution (max. 3 Kaltmieten).
• Combination with a flatmate who has a higher income.

What to remember

• Last 3 payslips + employment contract = standard for salaried employees.
• Bank details, Steuer-ID, religion (via Kirchensteuer) always redacted.
• Freelancers: Steuerbescheid + BWA, plus a Burgschaft if needed.
• Students/internationals: Burgschaft + proof of assets beats any payslip.
• Bank statements you do not have to share - it's data-protection-sensitive.
• Watermark on it, all in one PDF, clean file name.

You almost always send the proof of income together with the Mieterselbstauskunft (tenant self-disclosure form). For a complete overview of all WG application documents see the documents checklist.