Apply for a certificate of eligibility for housing

  • Service description

    You can apply for a housing eligibility certificate (WBS) at your local authority. You can also obtain the necessary forms there. 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 administrative offices.

    The housing eligibility certificate contains information on eligible individuals, compliance with the relevant income limits, living space, and the number of rooms.

    The housing eligibility certificate entitles the holder to move into a subsidized apartment (public housing). There is no legal right to be assigned such an apartment.

    The apartment you wish to move into must not exceed the maximum apartment size specified in the WBS. The number of rooms or the living area may be exceeded only in exceptional cases. The staff at the property management offices will be happy to provide you with more detailed information on this as well.

    Some public housing units are reserved for specific groups of people. These may include, for example, students, seniors (minimum age 60), people with disabilities, or households with many children (at least three children). If you belong to one of these specific groups, this will also be indicated on your housing eligibility certificate.

    The housing eligibility certificate is generally valid for one year, which means you can move into public housing within that time frame. Once the certificate expires, you can apply for a new one. Furthermore, it can only be used once to move into public housing. When signing the lease, the housing eligibility certificate must be presented to the landlord.

    The Wohnberechtigungsschein is an official certificate that helps a tenant prove that he or she is entitled to move into publicly subsidized housing (social housing) in Rhineland-Palatinate.

    The housing permit is valid for a maximum of one year.

    You can apply for the Wohnberechtigungsschein at the responsible office in two ways:

    • General certificate of eligibility for housing
      The applicant is entitled to move into any social housing.
    • Special housing entitlement certificate
      Prospective tenants apply for a specific social housing unit - subject to compliance with the special eligibility requirements. With this housing entitlement certificate, the applicant is entitled to move into (only) this specific social housing.

  • Process flow

    You can obtain a housing eligibility certificate by applying for one:

    • If you need advice, you can schedule a personal or telephone consultation with a staff member at your local authority before submitting your application.
    • To apply, fill out the application form—either online or on paper—and attach the required documents.
    • Your application will be reviewed by the staff at the relevant agency. If necessary, you may be asked to provide additional information.
    • After the review, you will be notified whether or not you are eligible for a housing eligibility certificate. If so, the housing eligibility certificate will be issued to you.

    You can submit the application to the competent office in person or in writing. In doing so, the person seeking housing must submit a declaration of income for themselves and each person included in their household.

  • Requirements

    • German or EU citizenship
    • Foreign nationals with a residence permit that is generally valid for at least one year
    • Legal age (or consent of a parent or legal guardian)
    • Households whose countable income does not exceed the income limit. Compliance with the income limit depends primarily on the number of people in the household and the total 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 allowances and deductions, for example, for persons with a recognized severe disability or a recognized care level.
    • One of the requirements is that you are not merely staying in the Federal Republic of Germany temporarily, but that you have your center of life here or intend to establish it here. The center of life is the place where you settle permanently, of your own free will, either alone or with your family.

    Households whose qualifying income does not exceed the relevant income limit receive a housing entitlement certificate. The income limit depends on the number of people in the household and the relevant support programs. A housing entitlement certificate is issued if the total income of the household does not exceed the income limit according to § 13 LWoFG.

    The total annual income is composed of the gross annual income of all persons belonging to the household. It is determined in accordance with the State Housing Promotion Act.

    In exceptional cases, a housing entitlement certificate may also be issued without complying with the relevant income limits to take account of the special needs of a household member or to avoid particular hardship. This must be examined according to the circumstances of the individual case.

  • What documents are needed?

    When submitting a written application

    • Identity Card for German Citizens and Citizens of the European Union (ID Card)
    • Passport for foreign citizens who hold a residence permit valid for at least one year

    ELECTRONICALLY
    You must also log in electronically (username/password).

    Additionally:

    • Income statement for each household member who has their own income
    • Depending on your income, you must provide the appropriate documentation. This may include, for example:
      • Pay stubs from the previous year
      • Pay stubs for the last 12 months
      • Annual Payroll Tax Statement for the Previous Year
      • Income Tax Assessment for the Previous Year

    Depending on your personal situation, additional documents may also be required:

    For example:

    • Certificate of the Degree of Disability (e.g., for people with severe disabilities)
    • Certificate of Enrollment (e.g., for students)
    • BAföG Notices (for recipients of educational assistance)
    • Pension Notice (e.g., for retirees)
    • Proof of benefits from the Job Center (e.g., for the unemployed)

    This list is not exhaustive.

    Depending on the case, administrative staff may require additional documentation. If this is the case, we will contact you immediately.

    • Identity card
    • Proof of income of all persons wishing to move into the apartment (e.g. proof of income to be filled in by the employer, last income tax assessment/declaration and last tax-recognized profit or proof of tax assessment in the case of tradesmen/self-employed persons).

  • What are the fees?

    The amount of the fees is determined by the regulations of the respective federal state and the relevant municipality.

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    The Wohnberechtigungsschein must be presented to the landlord or landlady before moving into a subsidized apartment.

    The housing eligibility certificate is valid only in the state where it was issued and, as a rule, for one year. It can be used to secure an apartment within its period of validity.

    Period of validity: 12 months

  • Legal basis

    The housing assistance laws of the individual federal states apply. If the states have not enacted their own laws, federal law applies.


Who do I need to contact?

Special information for the municipality of Göllheim

Please contact the social welfare office of the municipality of Göllheim.

Responsible departments