Student Housing

How do get cheap student accommodation

Student Housing

Getting a good apartment isn’t that easy, especially for students, who haven’t that much money. There are different student accommodation options in Austria. Some are subsidised and can be quite cheap. If you’re interested in such accommodation, it’s important to look and apply for one as soon as possible.

Student Apartments

Students have the opportunity to apply for a moderately priced apartment through the Non-profit Student Housing Service (SWS). Appropriate apartments in older buildings including furniture can be rented from the SWS for one year, which may be extended as long as positive marks are achieved.

Students are required to show adequate study progress at the university (freshmen only need to present their A-levels), as well as their income situation and/or that of their parents.

Communal Apartments

A tenancy agreement (or rental contract) for communal apartments can either be limited or unlimited.

The following types of tenancy agreements are possible:

  • One person enters into a tenancy agreement, and the others move in as co-tenants. Disadvantage: If the person who negotiated the contract moves out, the tenancy agreement might not be transferred to another member of the commune and everybody may have to move out.
  • All members of the commune sign the tenancy agreement, and thus enjoy equal legal protection as tenants. If one member of the commune moves out, this does not change the tenancy agreement for the rest of the group. Students should, however, make sure that the rights of the person moving out are transferred to the remaining tenants.
  • Separate tenancy agreements concerning the rooms in which the individual members of the commune live are made with the landlord.

Student Dormitories

In all cities with a university, there are a number of student dormitories ( Studentenheime) which are built and administered by various associations, foundations, and public corporations.

Important: Students must register for student dormitories one semester before they begin to study at a university.

Please note: The Austrian Student Union (ÖH) ( Österreichische Hochschülerschaft) of your university provides information on the apartments listed in this section.

Notice boards: There are notice boards (Schwarze Bretter) in universities and many research institutions, usually to be found in canteens and other busy locations. They are often plastered over several layers deep with apartment notices and are accessible to all students and employees and cover a wide variety of needs. However, most advertisements are for single rooms in shared accommodation.

Useful Link:

http://www.oeh.ac.at/oeh 

Further reading

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