Documents for Tenants: Allocation & Waiting Lists in Austria
If you are a tenant in Austria waiting on allocation or waiting lists for municipal housing or cooperatives, a complete application file is important. This guide clearly explains which documents are commonly required, which deadlines to watch, and how to assemble income statements, registration certificates, income confirmations and proofs of special needs correctly. It also explains how to provisionally replace missing documents and which notes apply when applying to municipalities and housing cooperatives. The aim is to give you confidence so your application can be submitted complete, traceable and on time. You will also find notes on calculating deadlines, dealing with inquiries from housing administration and on additional certificates. At the end there is a practical checklist and links to official authorities such as RIS and JustizOnline for legal bases and forms.
Which documents do I need?
- Valid photo ID (identity card or passport).
- Registration certificate (Meldezettel) or proof of residence.
- Income proofs (pay slips, service slips or income confirmation for the last three months).
- Bank statements as payment evidence if required.
- Copy of the current rental agreement (if available).
- Social and subsidy decisions (e.g. housing allowance, minimum income support).
- Medical certificates or confirmations for special housing needs.
- Powers of attorney, signature authorisations or proofs about caring relatives.
How to apply correctly?
Organise documents, staple copies together and label each document. Pay attention to the information explicitly requested by the municipality or cooperative and include a short cover letter explaining your situation.
- Fill out municipality or cooperative forms completely.
- Check deadlines and make sure to meet the application deadline.
- Provide contact address and phone number so that inquiries are possible.
- Include all proofs as copies; present originals only upon request.
If uncertain, ask the allocation office which documents are mandatory and which are optional.
FAQ
- Which deadlines apply to applications?
- Deadlines vary by municipality or cooperative; often there are submission deadlines for new allocation rounds and separate deadlines for waiting list registration. Check announcements carefully and ask if in doubt. [1]
- Can I submit missing documents later?
- Many offices accept later submissions if you inform them in advance. However, some allocations exclude applications with missing documents, so completeness is important.
- Where can I find official forms and legal information?
- Official forms are often available online via the JustizOnline platform or the municipalities' websites; legal foundations are available on RIS. [2]
How-To
- Collect all required documents and make copies.
- Check application deadlines and mark them in your calendar.
- Complete forms fully and add a short cover letter.
- Send the application as required and keep proof of receipt.
Help and Support / Resources
- [1] RIS: Mietrechtsgesetz (MRG)
- [2] JustizOnline: Electronic forms
- [3] Justiz.gv.at: Court procedure information
