Guides/Tips

How to Write a Message to a Landlord That Actually Gets a Reply

By Socials··3 min read
How to Write a Message to a Landlord That Actually Gets a Reply

TL;DR: Landlords ignore generic "Is the room still available?" messages. A reply-worthy message has your name, age, move-in date, what you do, and mentions one specific thing from the listing. Keep it under 120 words.

The average good listing on WG-Gesucht, Funda, or Idealista gets 100-200 messages within the first hour. Landlords skim them in 10 seconds each. Your job is to make yourself easy to pick.

What gets ignored

These get deleted instantly:

  • "Hi, is the room still available?"
  • "I'm interested, please send more info."
  • "Hello, I would like to visit the apartment."

Anything that requires the landlord to write back with basic information already in the listing. They won't.

What gets replied to

The winning format has 5 parts, in this order:

  1. Greeting using their name if visible in the listing (signals you actually read it)
  2. One sentence about who you are, name, age, nationality, studying or working
  3. Your specific situation, what you do, when you want to move in, how long you'll stay
  4. One specific detail from the listing to prove you read it carefully (e.g., "the kitchen with the view of the canal", "the bike storage in the courtyard")
  5. A clear ask, a viewing, phone call, or video tour

Copy-paste template

Tip

Hi [Name, or "hi there" if no name],

I'm [Your Name], [age], a [nationality] moving to [City] for [a new job / a relocation / studies] in [September]. I'd move in on [date] and stay for [12 months].

I saw your listing for the room in [neighborhood], I love that it has [specific detail: natural light, the balcony, proximity to the tram]. It looks like exactly what I'm looking for.

I have a stable income of [€X]/month from [source: employment contract, part-time job, savings] and can send you [proof of income, recent bank statements, guarantor document] right away.

Would it be possible to arrange a viewing this week, or a video call if you prefer?

Thank you! [Your Name] · [+phone number]

What to skip

  • Long life stories. Landlords don't care.
  • Over-formal language. Friendly and professional beats stiff.
  • Attaching a "rental CV" as a PDF in the first message. Save it for the reply.
  • Emojis. In most European markets, emojis in a first message read as too casual.

What to prepare before you send

  • A profile photo (warm, smiling, recent). Some platforms let you attach one.
  • Documents ready to send on request: passport scan, proof of income or enrollment, last 3 months of bank statements, guarantor letter if you have one.
  • Your WhatsApp number in international format (+49, +31, +34...).

Language matters

If the listing is in the local language, at least open your message in that language: "Hoi, ik heet [name]..." / "Guten Tag, ich heiße..." / "Olá, chamo-me...". Then switch to English if your local-language skill ends there. It shows respect and dramatically increases reply rates.

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More guides to help you find your room

GuideDocuments you need to rentSafety GuideStudent housing scamsDecision GuideWhen to start lookingGuideFirst-time renter checklist

Frequently asked questions

How does Socials actually help me find a home?+
You tell us your city, budget, and when you want to move in. From that moment, we’re scanning 2,000+ housing platforms and our partner listings around the clock, so you don’t have to. The second a new listing hits the market that matches your criteria, you get it straight to your WhatsApp. Our housing partners’ listings get priority, meaning you often see them before anyone else. From there, it’s simple: you click, you book, and you save with an exclusive discount code.
Can't I just search on Funda, Pararius, or other housing sites myself?+
You can, but you'd be searching only 2 or 3 out of 2,000+ sites. Most rooms get rented within hours of going live. By the time you check manually, the best listings already have dozens of applicants. Socials scans every major platform and our partner listings 24/7 and alerts you on WhatsApp within seconds of a new match going live, so you're always one of the first to apply.
Are the listings real and verified?+
Yes. We use multiple verification methods to flag and remove scam listings before they reach you. Our team actively monitors for suspicious patterns and removes fraudulent listings. On top of that, many listings come from trusted partners like University Living, Amber, Spotahome, Uniplaces and Housing Anywhere, who verify their inventory directly.
How long does it usually take to find something?+
It depends on the city and your budget. Some people find a place within a week, others take a few weeks. Because we send you new matches the moment they go live, you’re always one of the first to know, giving you a real head start.
Do I get a discount on every listing?+
Not every listing, only on the rooms from our housing partners. When a match comes from one of our partners, you’ll get an exclusive discount code that’s only available to Socials members.

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