Fraternity Rooms: Cheap Rent, Hidden Costs for Students

A student who moved into a cheap fraternity room found that the low rent came with stringent membership duties and social strain, outweighing the financial benefit.

Moving for College: Affordable Housing, Big Trade-offs

When Abid (name changed) moved to Berlin in the winter term of 2023/24, he was eager to leave his comfort zone—new city, student life, and independence. On WG-Gesucht.de, he found a “warm rent” room (utilities included) for €250 in Zehlendorf, a comparatively expensive district. The listing was run by a student fraternity.

He was aware of the reputation of some fraternities, especially certain Burschenschaften under the umbrella of Deutsche Burschenschaften, for being linked to right-wing or extremist ideologies. According to Alexandra Kurth, a political scientist at the University of Gießen, “Some ignore or conceal the problem; others behave indifferently; others actively try to distance themselves from extremist tendencies.” But as the term start approached and other landlords kept rejecting him, Abid felt he had no choice.

Living Under Fraternity Rules: Community vs. Conformity

At the house viewing, Abid was told there would be social events and alcohol consumption—but also that he could “toast with water” if he preferred. He would be required to attend certain fraternity events each month or even help organize them. Since the room was his only immediate option, he moved in “just to have a roof over my head,” as he puts it.

Initially, community life among other students felt promising. However, after several weeks, reality diverged sharply. Abid’s low alcohol intake and his immigrant background brought friction. Some members disapproved of his drinking habits; others made comments about his background. When Abid raised concerns, they were often brushed off as jokes or punished lightly—such as a temporary alcohol ban. Eventually, after a vote among fraternity members, he was asked to leave within six weeks.

Prices in Shared Flats vs. Fraternity Rooms

• According to the Moses Mendelssohn Institute (MMI) and WG-Gesucht.de, average costs for a WG-room (shared flat) in large university towns have risen. Just before the summer semester of 2025, the average was around €493 DIE ZEIT.
• In Munich, the average WG-room now costs approximately €790; in Berlin, about €650; Hamburg around €620 stern.de.
• Meanwhile, fraternity housing often offers significantly lower rents. For example, in Karlsruhe some fraternity rooms go for as low as €130/month. WG-Gesucht.de

Demand, Waitlists, and Regional Disparities

• Only about 10% of students in Germany have access to student dormitory housing. Long waiting lists are common in many cities. Sources from Studierendenwerk and student welfare organizations confirm this. (While exact numbers vary, multiple reports emphasize insufficient dorm capacity.)
• Dorms typically cost less: in some regions, around €306 (including utilities) in student halls maintained by Studierendenwerke. (Note: exact figures depend on location.)
• Regional disparities: secondary or smaller cities (particularly in eastern Germany) sometimes offer shared flats within or closer to student financial aid thresholds; major cities are well above those thresholds forschung-und-lehre.de.

The Social Price: Identity, Obligations, Exclusion

Abid’s story reflects what many observe more broadly: fraternity housing isn’t just about pay-cheap rent. New residents are often expected to participate in numerous fraternity events, help with planning, follow tradition. Such obligations can limit free time, make external friendships harder, and sometimes pressure conformity.

Issues of belonging and identity can become friction points—immigrant or minority students may experience microaggressions, overt or covert exclusion. In Abid’s case, his background and behavior (low alcohol consumption) led to conflict. Promises to address discriminatory behavior were reportedly made but then minimized or treated as jokes rather than addressed substantively.

After a probation period, full membership (often called Lebensbund) comes with long-term commitments—membership fees, loyalty, sometimes lifelong obligations. For some, the cost of “community” becomes heavy.

Policy Implications and What Could Change

• Student Welfare and Financial Aid Limits: Many students find that state aid (e.g. BAföG-Wohnkostenpauschale) does not keep pace with actual housing costs cms.moses-mendelssohn-institut.de.
• Need for More Student Dorms: There is growing pressure on governments and universities to expand affordable dormitory housing. Programs like “Junges Wohnen” have been initiated to help meet demand.
• Transparency and Regulation of Fraternities: Students and advocacy groups call for clearer terms and conditions from fraternities: what obligations membership entails, how behavior complaints are handled, and what rights members have.
• Well-being & Inclusivity: Housing isn’t just shelter; social and psychological wellbeing matter. Environments that are exclusionary or demand conformity risk harming marginalized students.

Conclusion

While fraternity-offered rooms can appear as rare bargains amid soaring WG rents, they often carry unseen costs—social, emotional, and personal. Abid’s experience underscores this duality: rent might be low, but mounting obligations and exclusion can make it a steep price to pay personally.

As Germany continues to grapple with student housing crises, broader solutions are needed: more affordable options, better regulation, and a focus on protecting student dignity and diversity in housing spaces.

Sources: WG-Gesucht.de, DIE ZEIT, Deutschlandfunk Nova, WG-Gesucht.de, studis-online.de