Short Answer
A positive verbal reaction during a viewing means nothing until an official written contract is issued.
Landlords do not send rejection letters when they have hundreds of applicants waiting in line.
What Most Expats Don't Realize
You had a great conversation with a landlord who told you that you were a perfect fit for the flat. You stopped applying for other apartments and waited for their call, completely unaware that you were actually their fifth backup choice. Because you stopped your search based on a friendly conversation, you lost two weeks of valuable time and had to pay €900 for a last-minute storage unit.
What To Do
- Email a polite follow-up message exactly 24 hours after the viewing to re-attach your documents.
- Keep applying for at least five new apartments every single day regardless of how well a viewing went.
- "Ich warte auf Ihre Rückmeldung bezüglich des Mietvertrags." (I am waiting for your feedback regarding the rental contract.) — send this in your single follow-up email.
The Truth
Germany's high-demand housing system operates without administrative courtesy for unsuccessful candidates. The system relies on silent rejections, leaving the burden of continuous application entirely on your shoulders until a contract is signed.