Rented housing is priced per square meter, not by the number of rooms. Although adverts will include the number of rooms in an apartment, the rent will be calculated by the total number of square meters.
Most apartments are unfurnished. Be aware this may also mean there is no kitchen or light fixtures.
Once you have expressed your interest in a flat, your landlord may ask you for a copy of your passport, proof of your income (your work contract) and a Selbstauskunft. The “Selbstauskunft” is a questionnaire you have to fill out giving information about your personal details, your current income, your marital status, the number of children and so on.
The total rent paid is called warm rent (Warmmiete). It is comprised of the "Kaltmiete" (cold rent) plus the "extra costs" such as garbage disposal, street and house cleaning costs, heating and water costs. Some of the additional costs, such as heating and water, depend on personal usage. The others additional costs depend on the size of the apartment.
www.immopool.de/ (G)
www.dresdden.de (nice but more expensive flats)
Official website of Studentenwerk Dresden with links to dormitory websites and further information.
Housing societies usually offer good value apartments:
It is also very common to share an apartment with other people. You can find offers for flat sharing under: