Life at the Azubiwerk
Living in small shared flats and the many communal areas and activities make our building more than just a collection of flats - it is a real home with a strong social environment, not on the outskirts of the metropolis, but conveniently located in the centre of the city.
Questions/Answers
Questions and answers about applications, tenancy agreements, halls of residence and facilities.
Application
Who can apply?
All trainees can apply, i.e. if you have a training contract or are about to sign one, you can apply. Your employer or training company must be located in Hamburg. The training must be state-recognised, regardless of whether it is school-based or dual training. You must be at least 16 years old and no older than 26. You can live in our hall of residence in Wandsbek from the age of 16. Only adult trainees (at least 18 years old) can live in our hall of residence in Harburg. Students do not get a room with us, but can apply for a room at the Studierendenwerk.
How can I apply?
Applications can only be submitted via the application form: to the application form
What criteria are used to award the commitments?
We allocate rooms according to social criteria, such as previous place of residence, age or the size of the training company.
When will I receive an answer after my application as to whether I have been accepted?
We usually respond to applications within one week. You will either receive a rejection, the information that you are on the waiting list, or you will be included in the further process.
If I am on the waiting list, will I receive an acceptance or a cancellation later?
Unfortunately, we are not yet able to make any statements about your chances of getting a place. As we have recorded your details, you will remain on the waiting list for the time being and will be informed by us at regular intervals.
My details have changed in the course of the application (e.g. the training company has changed): what now?
In the event of changes or corrections, the changed data must be sent promptly by e-mail to zimmer@azubiwerk.de so that we can enter them into the system. Important: If necessary, we need an email message that the old form is to be cancelled and you will send a new one.
I have been accepted for further proceedings, what do I have to do now?
You are now on the shortlist for the next available rooms. You will then receive a link from us to a form with which we request further information. You must then answer this within one week. Important: Inclusion in the further procedure is not a binding room confirmation.
I haven't signed my training contract yet, what now?
If you do not yet have your training contract, you can alternatively submit a letter of confirmation from your future training company stating that you will be trained there.
Rental agreement
Can I get a tenancy agreement if I don't have a training contract but am still interviewing for a job?
If you do not yet have a training contract or confirmation from a training company, no rental contract can be concluded. Your name will then be put back on the waiting list.
I have submitted all the documents: when will the tenancy agreements be concluded?
Once we have received and checked all your documents, we will consider you for the next room allocation. You will usually receive further information after 2-4 weeks. Important: Inclusion in the further procedure is not a binding room allocation.
If I cannot transfer the deposit in full, what should I do?
The deposit, like the rent, must always be paid in full. If you have financial difficulties, you can get a loan from the employment agency. Please contact the Youth Employment Agency for this: Click here.
Can I choose a room or will I be allocated one?
We endeavour to take into account all requests. However, we may decide otherwise in the interests of the flat composition.
Can I choose who I want to share a flat with?
In principle, we will also try to take into account your request for a specific flatmate (if you specify this by name). However, we may decide otherwise, because otherwise the room allocation will not work.
Can you tell me who else will be living in my flat share before I sign the tenancy agreement or move in?
Unfortunately, for data protection reasons, we are unable to provide you with the names and contact details of future flatmates.
Can I change rooms during the occupancy period?
This is only possible in justified exceptional cases.
How long does the tenancy agreement run for?
The term of the rental agreement is always until the end of the training programme plus 3 months.
How long is the cancellation period?
In accordance with the statutory provisions, the tenancy agreement can be terminated on the third working day of a calendar month for the end of the calendar month after next. This means, for example: If you terminate your tenancy agreement on 3 April at the latest, the agreement will run until the end of June.
What costs are incurred in addition to the rental costs?
The all-inclusive rent covers all ancillary costs (heating, water, rubbish charges etc.), electricity, internet and telephone.
In the rental agreement, I am supposed to sign a direct debit authorisation or a SEPA direct debit mandate for €30/month. Why?
With your signature, you give us the opportunity - if necessary - to debit rent arrears of a maximum of 30 euros per month from your account. If you would like to purchase something from the Azubiwerk (e.g. a jumper with a print), we can also debit the money from your account. This is not a regular direct debit, but you only authorise us to make a direct debit with prior notice.
Halls of residence
On which move-in date can I move into the flat if I have specified several dates?
We usually choose the earliest date.
Are there house rules?
Yes, house rules are attached to the tenancy agreement as an annex, along with the rules of use.
Can I receive visitors in the hall of residence?
In principle, you can receive visitors in the hall of residence, but the house rules and rules of use stipulate certain rules. For example, visitors may only stay overnight with you on a total of 8 days per month and no parties may be organised in the flats (the communal rooms are available for this purpose).
Where can I do my laundry?
There is a laundry room with washing machines and dryers in the basement (for a fee).

"Great hall of residence for trainees. There are 2- and 4-bed shared flats, with their own kitchen and bathroom. Great communal rooms. Highly recommended"
- Tanja P.

"Extremely modern and very well equipped hall of residence. Great rooms, favourable rents and friendly staff on site. Highly recommended!"
- Rune L.
The non-profit Azubiwerk Foundation creates affordable housing and also offers educational counselling and support services for trainees - true to the motto: "More than just affordable housing for trainees".
Due to high rental costs, it is hardly possible for young people in vocational training to live close to their place of training. Attractive cities, such as Berlin, Munich or Hamburg, are increasingly becoming unaffordable for young people in training. This is in stark contrast to the mobility demanded by the labour market. The housing shortage in many large cities is increasingly becoming a criterion for not starting an apprenticeship there.
The Azubiwerk Foundation has therefore been running a residential complex for 156 trainees in Hamburg-Wandsbek since 2016. At the beginning of 2020, the foundation completed a second residential home in Hamburg-Harburg with 191 places, the third residential home with 209 places in Münzviertel (Hamburg-Mitte) was completed in 2022 and our fourth residential home in Hamburg-Altona will be completed this year. Further residential complexes are being planned.
In addition to educational support, affordable rents and spacious communal areas are an essential part of the residential offer.
Together with many sponsors, politicians, social partners, chambers and associations, as well as companies, we want to offer even more trainees a home and support in the future. In this way, we are doing our part to further increase the attractiveness of vocational training in Germany.