Are you being sent abroad for work, or does life lead you away from your home for a while for other reasons? Then the question naturally arises: what happens to your home while you are away? The good news is you’ve come to the right place.

 

With VICA I have created a personal service that offers thoughtful solutions for exactly this situation.

 

I am happy to support you with the temporary rental and management of your property, so that you can move back into your home upon your return and feel confident that your property was in the best hands during your stay abroad.

For those who prefer to handle the rental and management of their property themselves but still do not want to miss out on important tips, I offer rental consultation services.

 

My rental and management services focus on properties in Berlin and the surrounding area, since physical proximity is important for this type of support. Rental consultations, however, I am happy to provide for properties throughout Germany.

 

I look forward to supporting you,

Services

While you’re away on assignment, your home deserves to be rented out in the best possible way: To tenants who truly feel at home there and care for your property with great attention. At the same time, your lease should offer you the utmost security, so you can return and move back into your own home.

 

To help bring this to life, VICA provides a variety of services tailored exactly to your personal needs and situation.

Do you already have a tenant but need some help shaping the perfect lease agreement? Or would you rather hand over the full rental and property management to VICA? Perhaps you’d like to manage most of it yourself, while steering clear of any pitfalls and picking up valuable insights in my rental consulting?

 

Just pick what feels right for your unique situation, and let’s chat in a free initial call!

Rental Management

Let us find the perfect tenant for your property, someone who will happily take great care of your home and is fine with a fixed-term lease. This service is for properties in Berlin and surrounding areas, as local presence is essential.

 

Option 1: Full Rental Service by VICA
Price: 2.0 net cold rents plus VAT

 

My services include:

  1. Determining the rent (considering the local rent index, rent brake, and comparable offers)
  2. Marketing your property
  3. Coordinating and conducting viewings
  4. Comprehensive review of tenant applications (self-disclosure, credit check, income proof, no rental arrears)
  5. Drafting a custom lease (incl. qualified fixed-term lease per § 575 BGB)
  6. Reviewing your statements and documents for service charge advances
  7. Advice on chargeable costs and other lease terms
  8. Contract signing
  9. Handover with detailed digital protocol

 

Option 2: Your Tenant + VICA Lease & Handover
Price: 1.75 net cold rents plus VAT

 

You bring your own tenant, and I’ll take care of the rest:

  1. Comprehensive review of tenant applications (self-disclosure, credit check, income proof, no rental arrears)
  2. If needed: Determining the allowable rent (considering the local rent index, rent brake, and comparable offers)
  3. Drafting a custom lease (incl. qualified fixed-term lease per § 575 BGB)
  4. Reviewing your statements and documents for service charge advances
  5. Advice on chargeable costs and other lease terms
  6. Contract signing
  7. Handover with detailed digital protocol

 

Important note: VICA does not offer short-term rentals or fully furnished lettings. Learn more in your free initial consultation!

 

Please consult your tax advisor. Rental costs may be tax-deductible for non-owner-occupied properties.

 

 

 

Property Management

While you’re away, I’ll take care of your existing tenancy, serve as the first point of contact for your tenants, and handle special property management tasks for you. I also offer flexible options here, so you can choose exactly what suits you best.

This service applies to properties in Berlin and surrounding areas, as on-site presence is essential.

 

Core Services (Both Options)

  • Communication with tenants, utilities, authorities, and homeowners’ associations

  • Timely preparation of operating cost statements

  • Coordinating repairs, maintenance, and service appointments

  • Reviewing invoices, compiling expenses for household and trades services

  • Handling move-outs/handovers and tenant changes

  • Implementing rent increases (e.g., graduated increases)

  • Verifying property-related invoices for accuracy

  • Monitoring lease terms

  • Super accessibility: by phone, email, or WhatsApp

  • Personal service, not a call center

  • I’m local, I’m the expert, and I’m here for you and your tenants!

 
Price: from €135 plus VAT per month

 

Choose from these options to complete your rental package:

 
OPTION A
  • You manage your rent account yourself (rents go directly to you).
  • You monitor rent payments (VICA reminds tenants if payments are late).
  • VICA handles repair orders and invoice checks; you settle the bills.
  • You receive an annual overview of all rental and management costs for your tax return.

Price: €135 plus VAT per month – no extra account fees
 
OPTION B
  • VICA manages the DKB AG account (you’re the economic beneficiary).
  • VICA also handles: reserve building for payments, paying all invoices, rent monitoring, and monthly rent payouts to you.
  • VICA prepares detailed annual settlements for your tax documents and maintains proper bookkeeping with archiving.
  • Account and management fees are deducted directly from the rent account.

Price: €150 plus VAT per month

plus DKB AG account fees, currently €9 per month

 
DEPOSIT MANAGEMENT

If you choose our management package, VICA can handle the deposit on request: including setting up a DKB AG deposit account, tenant communication, confirmation, and final settlement at lease end.

 
Price: one-time €60 plus VAT
 

Alternatively, you can also set up your own deposit account. Either way, VICA advises you on the refundable amount after tenant move-out.

 

Please consult your tax advisor. Management and account fees may be tax-deductible for non-owner-occupied properties.

 

Please consult your tax advisor. Rental costs may be tax-deductible for non-owner-occupied properties.

 
 

Rental Consulting

Wherever your property is in Germany!

 

You’d like to handle the rental and management largely yourself, but lack the necessary know-how and fear making mistakes? Then feel free to get comprehensive advice from me. I’ll explain the important information you should consider.

 

My rental consulting includes, among others:

  • Basics of fixed-term and open-ended rentals as well as valid reasons for fixed terms in Germany

  • Guidelines for rent determination, rent indices, and rent brake

  • Tips for calculating service charge advances

  • Key facts on deposits and rent increase options

  • Recommendations for lease templates and handover protocols

  • Explanations of lease contents and typical agreements

  • Tips for selecting tenants: requesting and evaluating documents

  • Rental strategies: viewings, exposé, rejections

  • Tips for preparing operating cost statements and more

 

The consulting services are already included in the rental and management offering.

 

Important note: This is not legal advice. I am a certified Real Estate Specialist (DIA/IHK) and Property Manager (IHK). For binding legal questions, please consult a lawyer, an attorney, or the tenants’ association.

 

Price: €120 net plus VAT per hour

(Minimum 45 minutes, then billed in 15-minute increments)

 

Schedule your individual consultation now!

 

 

Contact

Thank you for your interest in my services.

Please send me a message to hello@vica.berlin, give me a call or contact me via WhatsApp:

 +49 30 57711363
 +49 157 92497384
 +49 157 92497384

I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Please share which service you’re interested in, a brief overview of your property, and when you would like my support.

 

Our office is available Monday to Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and by appointment.

About Me

My aim is to support you in all matters relating to real estate. I’ll help you with a clear head, empathy and expertise. I am a trained businesswoman with 20 years of experience in the real estate and housing sector, a certified real estate expert and property manager with degrees from IHK and the German Real Estate Academy.

Through my work with expats, emigrants, and all those coming to Germany, I understand the unique needs during the relocation and assignment phases. Reliable advice and support make all the difference. Genuine customer service is especially important to me. I know the need for active support and the desire for a person that listens and understands, and offers individual solutions. That person is me!


With VICA I have created an offer that is specifically tailored to the needs of expats. VICA, in fact, is derived from vicaria, Latin for representative. That’s what I want to be for you: the representative for your interests and partner in all matters concerning your real estate.

Let me know what I can do for you! I’ll keep track of everything for you, so that everything is as it should be.

Sincerely, Stefanie Gurow

Testimonials

  • »I bought an apartment with the help of Stefanie. I wouldn’t of been able to go through this process and feel confident and well informed without her help. As a young expat, being a homeowner seemed daunting at first, but I am so glad that we made it happen! Stefanie was always clear, quick, and delightfully friendly and I would 1000% recommend to anyone searching for a home or in need of her advice!«

    - Catherine Slaton

  • »For our move from the UK to Berlin, it was so helpful for us to navigate the housing market with Stefanie Gurow's help. She was always professionally guiding us through the various contractual clauses and helping us to start our new life in Berlin as an expat family. Her help has made us feel settled and secure about our move and would highly recommend her services to others!«

    - Danielle and Nicolas Williams

  • »Ms Stefanie Gurow has made our lives as expats much easier. When the focus of your professional life changes, you often face unexpected challenges with owning your own home in Germany. Suddenly problems arise or appointments have to be kept and you simply cannot be there. In this case, expertise, experience and reliability are required and that is exactly what Stefanie brings with her company VICA Immobilien Management. She mastered every situation, no matter how complicated, with a lot of patience and personal skill. She is always friendly and quick to help when needed. She approaches things thoughtfully and objectively and always finds a solution. We are very grateful for Stefanie's competent support and would like to warmly recommend her, because we know that she will take care of her and we can devote ourselves to our actual tasks.«

    - Petra Gräfin von Hardenberg & Michèle Auga

  • »I own a flat in Berlin for over 10 years and since Stefanie started to manage it everything has been easier. Language barriers and bureaucracy in Germany are complicated. Stefanie deals with problems promptly. I highly recommend her services to anyone looking for an estate agent which offers a wide array of services. Very grateful VICA!«

    - Fabricia Tavarnaro Watson

  • »I can highly recommend working with VICA. It has been a great experience so far. Stefanie has really taken her time to understand my needs and support me in the best way possible. And I've always felt that someone has my back in the sometimes difficult process of buying a property.«

    - Wiebke Arendt

FAQ

VICA offers an exclusive real estate service tailored to the needs of expatriates. I am your personal representative and confidant on site for all matters relating to real estate. In addition, VICA stands for a high level of expertise, commitment and genuine customer service. My aim is to find solutions that really suit you.

Step 1: Please send me a message or call me to make an appointment.
Step 2: We get to know each other and you explain your individual needs.
Step 3: I will put together an offer that’s tailor-made for you.
Step 4: We agree on a contract and VICA takes over from there. It’s all very relaxed and easy.

I handle rentals and property management for properties in Berlin and surrounding areas, because being right on the spot is key for these services. For properties elsewhere, I offer comprehensive online consulting. Please feel free to reach out to explore how I can support you. You're also welcome to take a look at my consulting services too.

If you are part of a homeowners' association, the communal property is managed by a property management company. I would be happy to take care of your apartment and rental relationship, and can also act as a point of contact for the property management, if desired.

To get started, I will need all the essential details about the property, such as the year of construction, living area, usable space, number of rooms, and the furnishings. Additionally, documents such as the floor plan, billing statements, any maintenance contracts, the land register excerpt, and the energy certificate are required. Especially important are details about your individual preferences. Don’t worry, I will provide you with a clear list of the information and documents I need so we can approach the process together and smoothly.

Yes, a temporary tenancy agreement can be arranged. To ensure the contract is legally valid, specific conditions must be met. As a real estate expert and property manager, I’m happy to guide you through the process and provide professional support.

Yes, but only for a limited amount of time. According to the Prohibition of Misappropriation Act your property may not remain vacant for more than three months as a rule. Please find out more on the official website of the Berlin Senate Administration (German content). In addition to the legal situation, please be aware of the duties of care and due diligence as well as the duty to ensure road safety. These duties include the regular inspection of the property in order to check and secure them for sources of danger, as well as to ensure that, among other things, the winter service is carried out properly. In addition, the property should be heated and ventilated, and the taps should be turned on regularly to prevent mold or legionella growth. Therefore, in addition to the legal provisions, renting has very practical advantages.

As a property owner, you are free to decide how to rent out your property: furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished. The best furnishing level depends on your personal situation and the target tenants you're aiming for. A helpful rule of thumb is: "The more furnished the accommodation, the shorter the stay." Picture the spectrum at both ends: arriving with just a suitcase for a fully equipped hotel-style room (short stay), or moving in with your entire household (more effort, but for the longest possible duration). I'm happy to advise you on the various options and benefits.

Please note, however, that VICA does not manage fully equipped properties provided with bedding, dishes, and similar household items.

In an initial consultation or rental advising session, I'll help you craft a tailored offering for your property, your personal needs, and your target tenants.

Our focus is on unfurnished or partially furnished apartments with a rental period of about 2 to 4 years, which we rent out and manage as part of the assignments of our clients. This way, we create an attractive home for several years, for tenants who prefer or specifically need temporary living arrangements, and provide property owners with a reliable solution where someone responsibly takes care of the property and enjoys living there until their return.

Therefore, short-term rentals or fully furnished apartments are not part of our offerings.

I'm happy to support you during your departure, throughout your absence, upon your return home, and beyond if needed. In the departure phase, we'll jointly develop the best solution for your time away and your return. During your absence, I handle the rental and management. Of course, I can continue managing your tenancy if you decide not to move back in yourself. Let's discuss your ideas and wishes!

Yes, my services are modular. Whether you need help with renting, management, sales, or rental consulting – you can select exactly the services that fit your current situation. This way, you get tailored solutions that match your needs perfectly.

I will provide you with a detailed annual statement, outlining all relevant expenses, including management costs. If I manage your rental account, you will also receive a comprehensive overview of the income and the required documents for your tax return, particularly for household and craftsman services. Please note that I do not offer tax advisory services – my focus is on providing a clear financial overview that you can submit with your tax return.

As your personal on-site representative, VICA provides comprehensive support throughout the entire sales process. I advise you on pricing, create an attractive property exposé, and organize viewing appointments. Additionally, I conduct credit checks on potential buyers and accompany you right through to the notary contract signing.

 

Please contact me with a brief description of your current situation, so we can find the optimal solution together.

Even if you're abroad and don't plan to travel to Berlin personally for your property sale, I'm happy to support you. I handle the complete organization and on-site execution: from pricing to contract signing and full purchase agreement settlement. You can grant me a notarized power of attorney so I can represent you at the notary appointment. Alternatively, I can represent you without power of attorney, with a notary at your location approving the contract afterward. Let's find the ideal path together to make the entire process efficient for you.

Do you need assistance with notarizing a contract, clarifying land registry issues, or any other matters? Let me know – I’m happy to offer my support and find the best solution for you.