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Possible Wohnung scam?
Place is a dump, they promised to cle… We just went to a Besichtigung for 2-Room today. There's way lots of details to lay out but I'll give you the most important ones and could give more on request.
Place is a dump, they promised to clean it sofort so that we could move in ASAP.
ASAP because apparently they are not Vermieter but just Mieter subletting negligent individuals and they want an immediate out. So we would take over this place as Hauptmieter (that's how we understood it).
As the viewing was over, it was all emotional (for me) as they said they would do it with us immediately, no need to meet other viewers anymore. I was on air.
On the happy way home, guy called me to say "okay we got to do this contract now, you can send us HALF of Kaution 4 days from now".
Then later he said "No the half im Vorfeld, the other half after signing" ???
Then a bit later after some exchanging documents, he asked me to wire the money now so we could have something binding between the parties.
Thankfully managed to negotiate to wire the Kaution tomorrow after we have signed the Vertrag and with everyone present (which is not exactly legal either but I had to stall him somehow)
So lange Rede, now we have a day prep to somehow protect us from being ripped off and get others' opinions. Thank you for reading this stuff through, we would thoroughly appreciate your help. (Fazit: It's just so hard to live life nowadays)
You already know it's a scam, so let me give you a practical detail. In Berlin, it's standard that you pay the Kaution only after signing the contract and getting the keys, and it goes into a Mietkautionskonto in your name, not their pocket. These people are rushing you with changing demands because they want your money before you have time to think. If you wire anything, you'll never see it again and they'll ghost you when the "contract" turns out to be worthless. Save yourself the headache and report the listing to the platform, then keep looking.
You already got the right advice to walk away. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that the whole "subletters making you Hauptmieter" thing almost never works legally without the actual landlord signing off. Even if these people are legit tenants trying to dump their lease, the Hausverwaltung has to approve you as new Hauptmieter, and that process takes weeks, not days. The rush is to get your money before you have time to think or check anything. I'd also ask yourself why they're willing to skip showing the place to other people, that alone makes no sense in a city where flats get 50 applications in a day.
i mean honestly the fact they're not the eigentümer and trying to rush you into taking over the hauptmieter role is already suspect. the kaution back and forth is a circus but the real issue is they're desperate to offload the contract without the landlord knowing. you'd be inheriting whatever mess they're escaping. ask for the eigentümer's contact or the hausverwaltung's details, if they can't produce it run. even if it's legit you're taking on their problems and that's rarely worth it in berlin.
Best Food in Berlin (2026)
Begin your culinary journey at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, a historic market hall buzzing with food stalls. Open Thursday to Saturday, it's the perfect spot to sample everythin… 🍽️ Where to Start
Begin your culinary journey at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, a historic market hall buzzing with food stalls. Open Thursday to Saturday, it's the perfect spot to sample everything from artisanal cheese to fresh pasta. Try the famous bratwurst at Konnopke's Imbiss, a classic currywurst stand under the U-Bahn tracks at Schönhauser Allee.
🥟 Must-Try Street Food
Currywurst is a Berlin icon, and the best is at Curry 36 in Kreuzberg (Mehringdamm 36), open daily until late. For a modern twist, head to Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap (Mehringdamm 32) for their legendary vegetable kebab, a local favorite with lines out the door. Prices range from 3 to 5 euros.
🍜 International Flavors
Berlin's food scene is incredibly diverse. For authentic Vietnamese pho, visit District Mot in Mitte (Torstraße 167), where bowls start at 10 euros. For Middle Eastern cuisine, try the Yemeni restaurant Bait Al Mandi in Neukölln (Karl-Marx-Straße 131), serving fragrant lamb mandi for around 12 euros.
🥨 Traditional German Fare
For hearty German classics, book a table at Zur Haxe in Friedrichshain (Wühlischstraße 1), known for its crispy pork knuckle and potato dumplings, mains around 15 euros. Another gem is Max und Moritz in Kreuzberg (Oranienstraße 162), a rustic pub serving schnitzel and sauerbraten since 1902, with mains from 12 to 18 euros.
🍰 Sweet Treats and Cafes
Indulge in Berlin's famous cheesecake at Café Einstein Stammhaus in Mitte (Kurfürstenstraße 58), a Viennese-style café open from 8 am. For a modern twist, visit Brammibal's Donuts in Neukölln (Weichselstraße 13), offering vegan donuts in flavors like matcha and salted caramel, around 4 euros each.
🌿 Vegetarian and Vegan Options
Berlin is a paradise for plant-based eaters. Try Kopps in Mitte (Linienstraße 94), a fine-dining vegan restaurant with a seasonal menu, mains around 18 euros. For casual eats, go to 1990 Vegan Living in Kreuzberg (Wiener Straße 22), serving Vietnamese-inspired bowls and pho for 10 to 12 euros.
🍺 Best Evening Spots
End your food tour at a traditional beer garden like Prater Garten in Prenzlauer Berg (Kastanienallee 7-9), open from April to September, serving hearty snacks and local beers. For a more modern vibe, head to Klunkerkranich on the rooftop of Neukölln Arcaden (Karl-Marx-Straße 66), offering panoramic views and a rotating selection of food trucks.
💶 Budget Tips
Eat like a local by hitting up the weekly street food markets, such as the one at Boxhagener Platz in Friedrichshain every Saturday, where you can grab a falafel wrap for 5 euros. Many restaurants offer Mittagstisch (lunch specials) from 11 am to 3 pm, with dishes like currywurst and fries for under 8 euros.
solid guide. i'd add that the döner scene is more than just mustafa's, even if that one is iconic. head to rüyam gemüse kebap in neukölln, their döner with grilled veggies and feta is around 7 euro and honestly beats the queue at mustafa's for me. the bread is baked fresh right there
for a real hidden gem, check out the breakfast at haus hiltl in mitte. it's a swiss-style spot with incredible homemade bircher muesli and fresh pastries, around 12 euro for a big plate. quiet in the mornings before the lunch rush hits, and the courtyard seating is lovely when it's warm
one thing the guide missed is the african food scene. try mokum in kreuzberg for a proper ethiopian platter with injera, the combo for two is about 25 euro and the berbere spice mix is unreal. get there early on weekends or you'll wait