HousingAnywhere vs. Wunderflats: A Comprehensive Review for Expats and Renters
This article is all about Housing Anywhere vs Wunderflats and we are going to dig deep! Finding the perfect rental accommodation as an expat or international student can be challenging, especially in popular European cities. Whether you’re moving for work, study, or a temporary stay, navigating the housing market in a foreign country often involves dealing with language barriers, unfamiliar rental procedures, and high demand. Two popular platforms, HousingAnywhere and Wunderflats, have emerged as leading options for renters seeking furnished apartments with flexible lease terms. In this review, we’ll compare these two housing platforms based on their services, user experience, pricing, rental options, and customer support.
Both platforms offer solutions tailored to the needs of international renters, but which one is better suited to your requirements? This HousingAnywhere vs. Wunderflats review aims to provide an unbiased, detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
What is Housing Anywhere?
Housing Anywhere is an international online housing marketplace designed to connect landlords with tenants seeking mid to long-term rentals. Originally founded in 2009, HousingAnywhere started as a platform for students participating in exchange programs. Over the years, it has expanded its services to include not only students but also professionals and expats. The platform operates globally, with a strong focus on European cities, offering listings in over 60 countries.
What is Wunderflats?
Wunderflats is a Berlin-based rental platform that specializes in offering fully furnished apartments for mid to long-term stays. Founded in 2015, it primarily caters to professionals, expats, and companies looking for relocation housing. Wunderflats is known for its user-friendly experience, allowing renters to book apartments for a minimum of one month. The platform focuses on high-quality listings in major German cities and some international locations.
Housing Anywhere Reviews Vs Wunderflats
User Experience: Navigating Housing Anywhere and Wunderflats
Housing Anywhere User Experience
Housing Anywhere offers a straightforward and easy-to-use interface. Users can search for properties based on their desired city, move-in and move-out dates, and specific property features such as furnished apartments or pet-friendly accommodations. The search filters are comprehensive, enabling renters to refine their search according to their needs.
One feature that stands out in HousingAnywhere’s review is its “secure booking system.” Renters book accommodations through the platform, and the payment is only released to the landlord after 48 hours of the renter’s move-in, which helps reduce scams. HousingAnywhere’s mobile app and website are both optimized for international users, and the platform supports multiple languages and currencies.
However, some HousingAnywhere reviews mention the platform’s occasional lack of responsiveness from landlords or property managers. This can be frustrating for renters who need quick confirmation, especially in cities with high housing demand.
Wunderflats User Experience
Wunderflats is known for its streamlined and professional user experience. The platform is designed to simplify the housing search, allowing renters to book apartments with minimal hassle. Like HousingAnywhere, Wunderflats offers search filters for criteria such as rental duration, location, and property type, but its primary focus is on fully furnished, move-in-ready apartments.
One feature that users consistently highlight in Wunderflats reviews is the platform’s emphasis on high-quality listings. Wunderflats personally vets many of its listings to ensure they meet certain standards, such as cleanliness and modern furnishings. This adds a layer of trust and security for renters who are booking from abroad.
The platform’s customer support is also highly rated, with many renters praising the assistance provided by the Wunderflats team during the booking process. Additionally, the platform offers flexible booking conditions, which can be an advantage for expats who need housing for a few months or longer.
Pricing and Fees: How Much Does It Cost?
Housing Anywhere Pricing
HousingAnywhere charges both the landlord and the tenant. Tenants are required to pay a one-time service fee when booking a rental property through the platform. This fee is typically a percentage of the first month’s rent and ranges from 15-25% depending on the property and location. Additionally, tenants will need to pay the first month’s rent upfront through the platform.
On the other hand, landlords are charged a listing fee or commission based on the duration of the rental. According to HousingAnywhere reviews, some users have expressed concerns about the additional costs associated with booking through the platform, especially the service fee, which can add up in high-demand cities with expensive rent.
Wunderflats Pricing
Wunderflats operates differently when it comes to pricing. Renters typically do not have to pay an additional service fee directly to the platform. Instead, landlords pay a commission to Wunderflats for every successful booking. Rent prices on Wunderflats tend to be higher due to the nature of the fully furnished, move-in-ready apartments, but there are no hidden fees or extra charges for renters.
Wunderflats focuses on high-quality properties, and this can make the platform slightly more expensive than other rental options. However, Wunderflats reviews often mention that the convenience of having everything included (furniture, utilities, Wi-Fi, etc.) justifies the cost.
Rental Options: Furnished Apartments and Flexibility
Housing Anywhere Rental Options
HousingAnywhere offers a variety of rental options, including:
- Furnished and unfurnished apartments: Renters can choose between fully furnished properties or opt for unfurnished spaces if they prefer to customize their living situation.
- Short-term and long-term rentals: While HousingAnywhere initially catered to students seeking short-term stays, it has expanded to offer both short and long-term rentals, making it suitable for professionals as well.
One advantage mentioned in several HousingAnywhere reviews is the platform’s extensive reach, with listings available in cities across Europe, North America, and beyond. This makes it an attractive option for people relocating internationally who need flexibility in rental duration.
Wunderflats Rental Options
Wunderflats focuses primarily on fully furnished apartments, which cater to expats, professionals, and companies needing temporary housing. The platform offers mid to long-term rental options, with the minimum rental period typically being one month.
- Furnished apartments only: Wunderflats is geared towards renters looking for high-quality, furnished properties that are ready for immediate move-in.
- Flexible contracts: Many Wunderflats listings offer flexible rental terms, which is ideal for expats or professionals who may be uncertain about the length of their stay.
According to Wunderflats reviews, users appreciate the high standard of the apartments and the convenience of having utilities, Wi-Fi, and furniture included in the rent.
Customer Support and Service Quality
Housing Anywhere Customer Support
HousingAnywhere provides customer support through email and phone, and the platform has a dedicated help center for both renters and landlords. However, based on HousingAnywhere reviews, some users report delays in getting responses from landlords or HousingAnywhere’s support team. This can be problematic for renters who need urgent assistance with their booking or contract.
On the positive side, HousingAnywhere’s secure booking system provides a layer of protection for renters, as the rent payment is held until the tenant has moved in and confirmed that the apartment matches the description.
Wunderflats Customer Support
Wunderflats has received consistently positive feedback for its customer support. The platform offers personalized assistance to renters, and the team is known for being responsive and helpful during the booking process and throughout the rental period. Many Wunderflats reviews highlight the company’s proactive approach to resolving issues, ensuring that renters have a smooth experience.
Wunderflats also offers multilingual support, making it easier for international renters to communicate and resolve any concerns that may arise.
Cancellation Policies: Flexibility for Renters
HousingAnywhere Cancellation Policy
HousingAnywhere offers a range of cancellation policies, which are set by individual landlords. Renters should pay close attention to the specific cancellation terms of each listing, as they can vary significantly. Some landlords may offer full refunds if cancellations are made within a certain period before move-in, while others may have stricter policies with non-refundable deposits.
In HousingAnywhere reviews, some users have mentioned that the platform’s cancellation policies can be less flexible, especially in high-demand areas where landlords prefer longer commitments.
Wunderflats Cancellation Policy
Wunderflats offers more flexible cancellation policies compared to HousingAnywhere. Renters can often cancel or modify their bookings with greater ease, depending on the specific apartment. This flexibility is especially useful for expats or professionals who might need to extend or shorten their stays based on job contracts or personal circumstances.
Wunderflats’ customer service also plays a role in helping renters navigate cancellation terms, offering guidance if any issues arise.
HousingAnywhere vs. Wunderflats: Strengths and Areas of Improvement
HousingAnywhere Strengths
- Global reach: HousingAnywhere operates in over 60 countries, offering a wide variety of listings in popular expat and student cities.
- Secure booking system: Renters are protected by the platform’s system, which ensures that payments are only released after move-in.
- Variety of rental options: The platform offers both furnished and unfurnished properties, catering to a diverse range of rental needs.
HousingAnywhere Areas for Improvement
- Service fees: The additional fees charged to tenants can be seen as a downside, especially in cities with high rent prices.
- Landlord responsiveness: Some users have reported slow response times from landlords, which can be frustrating during the booking process.
Wunderflats Strengths
- High-quality listings: Wunderflats focuses on fully furnished, move-in-ready apartments, providing a high standard of living for expats and professionals.
- Flexible rental terms: Wunderflats offers flexible contracts, making it ideal for renters who need short to mid-term housing solutions.
- Excellent customer service: Renters frequently praise Wunderflats for its responsive and helpful support team.
Wunderflats Areas for Improvement
- Higher rental costs: Due to the premium nature of its listings, rents on Wunderflats can be higher than on other platforms. However, many renters find that the convenience of all-inclusive apartments justifies the price.
Which Platform is Right for You?
Choosing between HousingAnywhere and Wunderflats depends largely on your specific housing needs and budget.
- If you’re looking for a platform with a global reach, flexible rental options, and are open to both furnished and unfurnished properties, HousingAnywhere may be a good choice. However, be prepared for additional service fees and potential delays in communication with landlords.
- On the other hand, if you prioritize fully furnished apartments, excellent customer service, and flexible lease terms, Wunderflats is an ideal option. Keep in mind that the higher rental prices reflect the premium services and convenience offered by the platform.
In this review of HousingAnywhere vs. Wunderflats, both platforms offer valuable services for expats and professionals, making them reliable choices for finding housing in Germany and beyond.
