Apply for a housing eligibility certificate

If you want to rent a publicly subsidized apartment, you will need a housing eligibility certificate—or WBS for short. The WBS serves as proof that your income does not exceed the established income limits.

Who is eligible to apply for a WBS?

You can apply for WBS if your household income is below the applicable income limits. Many local governments provide online WBS calculators that allow you to check in advance, with no obligation, whether you meet the requirements.

Where do you apply for the WBS?

You can apply for the housing eligibility certificate from the City of Leverkusen.

A housing eligibility certificate issued in North Rhine-Westphalia is valid throughout the state. Housing eligibility certificates from other federal states are not valid in North Rhine-Westphalia. For example, if you move from Hesse to North Rhine-Westphalia, you must apply for a new housing eligibility certificate in North Rhine-Westphalia.

How long is the WBS valid?

The housing eligibility certificate is valid for one year from the date of issuance. You must move into the subsidized apartment within this period.

What information is included in the WBS?

The housing eligibility certificate includes the following information, among other things:

• Number of people in the household
• maximum apartment size
• Validity period

Further information

For more information about the housing eligibility certificate, as well as the requirements and relevant contacts, please visit the City of Leverkusen’s website.

Learn more about the housing eligibility certificate on the municipal portal