For many families in Germany, renting a house with a garden is the dream and one that feels frustratingly out of reach in major cities like Munich, Stuttgart or Frankfurt. But step back from the city centres, and a very different picture emerges: modern, spacious family homes with private gardens, two parking spaces and brand-new appliances, all available to rent at prices that compare favourably with cramped city centre flats.
If you are searching for a house with a garden to rent in Germany, this guide covers everything you need to know: what is available, what it typically costs, what your legal rights are as a tenant, and where to find the best options particularly in Baden-Württemberg.
Why Is Renting a House with a Garden So Rare in German Cities?
Germany is a nation of renters according to Destatis, over 57% of German households rent their homes. But the vast majority of those rentals are flats (Wohnungen), not houses (Häuser). Detached and semi-detached houses in Germany are overwhelmingly owner-occupied, and the supply of houses available to rent particularly in or near major cities is genuinely limited.
The result is that families who want a garden, outdoor space for children, space for a barbecue or simply fresh air often feel forced to choose between buying (which carries enormous upfront costs) or accepting a flat without outdoor space. But there is a third option that is growing in availability: purpose-built rental terraced house developments.
What Types of Houses with Gardens Are Available to Rent?
When searching for a house with a garden to rent in Germany, you will typically encounter three types of property:
1. Detached Houses (Einfamilienhäuser)
Fully detached single-family homes with private gardens. These are rare to find as rentals, typically expensive, and often older buildings requiring significant heating costs. When available, they tend to be in rural or semi-rural locations.
2. Semi-Detached Houses (Doppelhaushälften)
Two homes sharing a single wall, each with their own garden. Slightly more common as rentals than detached houses, but still relatively rare. Typically offer 100–150 m² and a garden of 50–150 m².
3. Terraced Houses (Reihenhäuser)
A row of attached homes, each with a private rear garden and often a small front terrace. These are the most commonly available house-with-garden rental in Germany, and new purpose-built rental developments increasingly focus on this format. A modern terraced house typically offers 100–130 m² across two or three floors, with a private garden of 40–80 m².
For most families, a terraced house strikes the ideal balance between space, privacy and value particularly in new-build developments where all the homes are built to the same modern standard.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a House with a Garden in Germany?
Costs vary significantly by location. Here is a realistic overview of what to expect in different parts of the country:
| Average Monthly Cold Rent (NKM) — 120 m² Terraced House with Garden:Munich: €2,800–3,500+ NKMStuttgart: €2,200–2,800 NKMFrankfurt: €2,000–2,600 NKMUlm: €1,700–2,200 NKMHerbrechtingen (near Ulm): from €1,635 NKM — new build, KfW-40, private garden |
The price gap between renting in a major city and renting in a well-connected smaller town is striking and for families willing to commute, it represents a significant financial opportunity.
Your Legal Rights as a Tenant Renting a House with a Garden
Renting a house with a garden in Germany comes with specific legal considerations that differ from flat rentals.
Garden Maintenance Responsibilities
Under German tenancy law, the maintenance of a private garden can be assigned to the tenant via the rental contract (Mietvertrag). This typically includes mowing the lawn, maintaining hedges and keeping the garden tidy. However, larger maintenance tasks such as removing trees or replacing garden structures — generally remain the landlord’s responsibility.
Always check the Mietvertrag carefully to understand exactly what garden maintenance you are agreeing to take on. Some modern developments include gardening services in the service charges (Nebenkosten), which simplifies matters considerably.
Using the Garden — What Are You Allowed to Do?
With a private garden in a rental property, you generally have the right to:
- Plant flowers, vegetables and shrubs
- Install a barbecue (in most cases)
- Set up garden furniture and children’s play equipment
- Use the space for personal enjoyment
However, you typically need landlord permission to:
- Build permanent structures (sheds, decking, pergolas)
- Remove existing trees or large shrubs
- Install a trampoline or large above-ground swimming pool
If in doubt, check with the landlord before making any changes — and get any permissions in writing.
Returning the Garden at the End of the Tenancy
When you leave a rental property with a garden, you are generally required to return the garden in a similar condition to how you received it. This means filling in any holes, removing personal plantings that were not there when you moved in, and ensuring the grass is maintained. Taking photos at the start of your tenancy is strongly recommended.
What to Look for When Renting a House with a Garden
Before signing a contract for a house with a garden in Germany, check the following:
- Garden size and orientation — south-facing gardens get the most sun. Check the actual dimensions.
- Privacy — how overlooked is the garden from neighbours or the street?
- Garden maintenance clauses in the Mietvertrag — what are you responsible for?
- Access to the garden — is there direct access from the house, or do you need to go through shared areas?
- Parking — does the property include dedicated parking spaces?
- Energy efficiency — a house with a garden and a gas boiler can cost significantly more to run than an equivalent KfW-40 certified property.
Where to Find Houses with Gardens to Rent Near Ulm
For families and professionals looking for terraced houses with private gardens for rent near Ulm, the options are limited — but they exist. The greater Ulm region offers significantly better value than the city itself, with excellent transport connections via the RS5 Brenzbahn regional rail line and the A7/A8 motorways.
One of the most complete developments currently available is the Riverside Wohnpark in Herbrechtingen offering terraced houses with private gardens for rent near Ulm. Each of the 48 homes offers 120 m² of living space across three floors, a private garden, two dedicated parking spaces, a fully fitted kitchen, KfW-40 energy efficiency and glasfibre broadband — all included in monthly rents starting from €1,635 NKM.
Located 40 km from Ulm and 8 km from Heidenheim, with direct rail connections on the RS5 line, Herbrechtingen offers a genuinely attractive alternative for families who want space, a garden, good schools and manageable monthly costs without cutting themselves off from city life.
For current availability and to request a free exposé, visit modern family homes to rent in Herbrechtingen.
Final Thoughts
Renting a house with a garden in Germany is not as impossible as it might seem in major cities — but it does require looking beyond the city limits. Modern terraced house developments in well-connected smaller towns offer excellent value, strong legal protections and increasingly high standards of build quality and energy efficiency.
Before you start viewing, know your budget (including utilities), understand your garden maintenance obligations, and prioritise properties with a strong energy rating. The combination of low bills, private outdoor space and modern specification is achievable; you just need to know where to look.