Apply for a certificate of eligibility for housing
Description
You can apply for a Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS) from your local authority. Which authority is responsible for you depends on the regulations of the respective federal state. You can find out which forms and documents are required from the relevant authorities.
The housing entitlement certificate contains information on the entitled persons, compliance with the relevant income limits, the living space and the number of rooms.
The certificate of eligibility for housing entitles the holder to move into a subsidized apartment (social housing). There is no legal entitlement to the placement of a corresponding apartment.
The apartment you wish to move into may not exceed the maximum apartment size specified in the WBS. Only in exceptional cases may the number of rooms or the living space be exceeded. The administration staff will also be happy to provide you with more information on this.
Some social housing is reserved for a specific group of people. These may be, for example, students, senior citizens (minimum age 60), people with disabilities or large households (at least three children). If you belong to a special group of people, this will also be stated on the certificate of eligibility.
The housing entitlement certificate is usually valid for one year, i.e. you can move into a council apartment within this period. After the expiry date, you can apply for a new housing entitlement certificate. Furthermore, it can only be used once to move into social housing. The certificate of eligibility must be handed over to the landlord/landlady when the tenancy agreement is signed.
Certificates of eligibility for subsidized housing are issued after prior income verification.
- German or EU nationality
- Other nationality with a residence permit usually valid for at least one year
- Age of majority (or consent of the legal guardian/legal guardian)
- Households whose qualifying income does not exceed the income limit. Compliance with the income limit depends primarily on the number of people in the household and the income of all household members. The calculation is generally based on the gross annual income of all persons living in the household for the previous calendar year. In addition, there are exemptions and deductions, for example for people with a recognized severe disability/recognized degree of care.
- One of the requirements is that you are not only staying in the Federal Republic of Germany temporarily, but that you have or want to establish your center of life here. The center of your life is the place where you settle permanently, voluntarily, alone or with your family.
For written applications
- Identity card for German citizens and nationals from the European Community (ID card)
- Passport for foreign citizens with a residence permit valid for at least one year
ELECTRONIC
Legitimization (user name / password) is also required electronically.
In addition:
- Declaration of income from each household member whohas their own income
- Depending on the income earned, appropriate proof must be provided. This can be, for example
- Pay slips from the previous year
- Pay slips for the last 12 months
- Annual income tax statement for the previous year
- Income tax assessment of the previous year
Depending on your personal situation, further documents may also be required:
For example:
- Certificate of disability (e.g. for severely disabled people)
- Certificate of enrollment (e.g. for students)
- BAföGBescheide (for recipients of educational grants)
- Pension certificate (e.g. for pensioners)
- Proof of benefits from the job center (e.g. for the unemployed)
This list is not exhaustive.
Depending on the case, the administrative staff may require additional documents. If this is the case, you will be contacted immediately.
Required documents
In addition to the application form and the income statement, which each applicant must complete and sign, proof of income for the last 12 months is required, depending on the applicant's personal situation.
Recognized proofs are e.g:
-
Earnings / salary certificates
-
Pension certificates
-
Unemployment benefit / ALG II notices
-
notice of social assistance
-
If applicable, the last income tax assessment notice
-
If applicable, the last income tax return / advance payment notice
-
ID in accordance with Section 69 (5) of the Ninth Book of the German Social Code (SGB IX)
-
Proof of need for care at home in accordance with § 14 of the Eleventh Book of the Social Code (SGB XI)
-
Marriage certificate / civil partnership certificate
-
Proof of increased income-related expenses
-
Proof of maintenance obligations and amount of benefits
- Power of attorney for applications by third parties
The documents must be submitted as originals and copies.
The amount of the fees depends on the regulations of the respective federal state and the responsible municipality.
- 10.30 EUR
The fees must be paid in cash or by EC card at the pay machines in the citizen service points.
Beneficiaries according to § 24 SGB II and according to the Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII) - social assistance are exempt from the fee
Period of Validity: 12 MonthsThe housing entitlement certificate is only valid in the federal state in which it is issued and is generally valid for one year. It can be used to move into an apartment within the period of validity.
- at least ten working days if the complete documents are available
Housing entitlement certificates are issued by the housing subsidy offices of the districts and independent cities.
Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Personal appearance required: No
Application
- in person or
- by a third party with power of attorney
To apply, you need an appointment, which you can make online or by calling 115 (without area code within the city of Halle (Saale)) or 0345-2210.
False information can be prosecuted and punished as false certification or fraud. A residence entitlement certificate issued can be revoked if it was issued on the basis of incomplete or incorrect information.
The following applies to subsidized, renovated and newly built apartments in accordance with Section 27 of the Housing Promotion Act (WoFG):
- Depending on the subsidy guidelines, income limits may currently be exceeded by up to 50 percent, and up to 80 percent for individual subsidy programs in previous years
- WBS applies to renovated old buildings and newly built apartments if the landlord uses subsidies
- the living space is price-restricted for a limited period
- [only for the first four years, then §§ 557 ff. of the German Civil Code (BGB) apply or, if applicable, an agreement concluded between Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt and the grant recipient]
- Rent deposit is charged
- Housing companies and cooperatives
The housing promotion laws of the individual federal states apply. If the federal states have not passed their own laws, the federal law applies.
Lower Saxony Ministry for the Environment, Energy, Building and Climate Protection
11.07.2022
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
06108 Halle (Saale), Stadt
Anlage 1 zur Einkommensermittlung für Wohnberechtigungsschein
DownloadAntrag auf Erteilung eines Wohnberechtigungsscheins
DownloadBeispiel für Einkommensberechnung WBS eines jungen Paares
DownloadMerkblatt zu Einkommensgrenzen für Wohnberechtigungsschein
DownloadMerkblatt zur Einkommensermittlung für Wohnberechtigungsschein
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06122 Halle (Saale), Stadt