Step 1 · Get the video

How to ask a landlord for a video tour

Can't view the flat in person? Ask for a short, uncut walkthrough video or a live video call. Copy one of the messages below, fill in the parts in [brackets], and send it.

The shot list in each message covers everything our checks need to see: every room, the bathroom corners, the windows, and the street view. The more the video shows, the fewer checks come back “unknown”.

🇩🇪 German

German landlords often respond better to a message in German, even from a non-native speaker.

E-Mail (Deutsch)

For ImmoScout24, Hausverwaltungen, and any landlord you contact by email. Formal "Sie" throughout, which is standard for a first contact in Germany.

Betreff: Anfrage zur Wohnung [Straße / Inserat-Nr.] – Video-Besichtigung

Sehr geehrte/r [Frau/Herr Name],

Ich interessiere mich sehr für die Wohnung in der [Straße, Stadtteil].

Kurz zu mir: [1–2 Sätze, z. B. „Ich beginne am 1. Oktober eine Stelle bei … in Berlin und ziehe allein ein.“]. Da ich derzeit noch im Ausland lebe, kann ich leider nicht spontan persönlich zu einer Besichtigung kommen.

Wäre es möglich, dass Sie mir ein kurzes Video der Wohnung schicken oder wir eine Besichtigung per Videoanruf (z. B. WhatsApp / Zoom) machen? Ideal wäre ein Video ohne Schnitte (ca. 3–5 Minuten), das Folgendes zeigt:

- Betreten der Wohnung
- alle Räume, einschließlich Küche und Bad
- die Fenster sowie Decken und Ecken, besonders im Bad
- die Heizkörper und die Küchengeräte
- den Blick aus einem Fenster auf die Straße

Gerne passe ich mich bei einem Videoanruf Ihrem Zeitplan an.

Vielen Dank im Voraus und freundliche Grüße
[Vorname Nachname]
[Telefonnummer]

Kurznachricht (Deutsch)

For WG-Gesucht, Kleinanzeigen, or WhatsApp, where a long email feels out of place.

Hallo [Herr/Frau Name],

ich interessiere mich sehr für Ihre Wohnung in der [Straße / Stadtteil]. Ich ziehe zum [Datum] nach [Stadt] und bin momentan noch im Ausland.

Könnten Sie mir ein kurzes, ungeschnittenes Video der Wohnung schicken (alle Räume inkl. Küche und Bad, die Fenster und den Blick auf die Straße)? Alternativ wäre auch eine Besichtigung per Videoanruf super – ich richte mich gerne nach Ihnen.

Vielen Dank und viele Grüße
[Vorname]

🇬🇧 English

Email (English)

For landlords and agents who work in English. This is common in Tallinn and with international-facing agencies in Germany.

Subject: Enquiry about the flat at [street / listing ID] – video viewing

Dear [Name],

I'm very interested in your flat at [street, district].

A little about me: [1–2 sentences, e.g. "I'm starting a job at … in Tallinn on 1 October and will be moving in alone."]. I'm currently still abroad, so unfortunately I can't come to a viewing in person.

Would it be possible for you to send me a short video of the flat, or to show it to me on a video call (WhatsApp or Zoom, for example)? Ideally one continuous video without cuts (around 3–5 minutes) showing:

- entrance into the flat
- every room, including the kitchen and bathroom
- the windows, plus ceilings and corners, especially in the bathroom
- the radiators and kitchen appliances
- the view from a window onto the street

I'm happy to fit a video call around your schedule.

Thank you in advance, and kind regards,
[First name Last name]
[Phone number]

Short message (English)

For Facebook groups, WhatsApp, or listing-site chats.

Hi [Name],

I'm very interested in your flat at [street / district]. I'm moving to [city] on [date] and I'm still abroad at the moment.

Could you send me a short, uncut video of the flat (every room including the kitchen and bathroom, the windows, and the view onto the street)? A quick video call would work just as well, and I'm happy to fit around your schedule.

Thanks a lot!
[First name]

What if they refuse?

A “no” isn't automatically a scam. Look at the reason and at what they ask of you next.

Usually fine

✓The current tenant still lives there and the landlord needs their agreement to film. Offer to wait, or ask for a video call at a time that suits the tenant.
✓A large property management company (Hausverwaltung) only does in-person viewings as a policy. That's common in Germany and not a scam signal on its own. Ask if a friend or relocation agent can attend and film for you.
✓The landlord is busy. A 10-minute live video call is often easier for them than recording and sending a file.

Be very careful if…

⚠They refuse any video or video call but still want a deposit or "reservation fee" before you've seen the flat or signed a contract.
⚠They say they're abroad and will send the keys by post or courier once you've paid.
⚠They ask you to pay through a service like Western Union, crypto, or a "secure booking platform" they link you to.
⚠The video they send looks like a different flat from the listing photos, or it has been heavily edited or cut.
⚠They push you to decide within hours because "many others are interested".

Never send ID documents, bank details, or any payment to someone whose flat you haven't seen, on video or in person. A genuine landlord can wait until you've seen the flat and signed a contract.

Got the video?

Upload it and get a report covering scam signals, damage, layout, and (on Pro) the address and asking rent, usually within minutes.

Upload the video — from €9