International Campus offers temporary accommodation for staff: 400 flats have already been let by companies through HAVENS LIVING
The housing shortage in major German cities is increasingly becoming a location-related challenge for employers: those wishing to recruit new staff often have to help them find accommodation. The scale of the demand is evident at International Campus: since September 2025, companies have already secured 400 HAVENS LIVING apartments in Frankfurt, Berlin and Hamburg for their staff. The International Campus Group (IC) is now actively expanding these partnerships.
What’s more, people who move to Germany from abroad for a new job often find it difficult to settle in – in the latest ‘Expat Insider 2026’ report by InterNations, Germany ranks only 30th out of 31 countries.
Companies can rent individual flats or larger blocks from the HA-VENS LIVING brand and provide them to their new colleagues as temporary accommodation. This model is particularly popular with employees who have to relocate to a new location for work or move to another city temporarily for a project and need accommodation there that is available quickly and ready to move into.
“Employers are increasingly realising that accommodation is becoming a key factor in the competition for skilled workers. With HAVENS LIVING, we offer them a straightforward solution. However, anyone moving to a foreign country for work needs more than just a furnished flat. That is why we see ourselves as hosts: our on-site team helps residents get settled, and our events enable them to make friends quickly. ‘We offer more than just a hotel,’ says Gawain Smart, CEO of the International Campus Group.”
To meet demand, International Campus has strengthened its B2B team: since June 2026, Nora Gehlen has been responsible for day-to-day operations relating to corporate clients and the further expansion of the apartment portfolio at HAVENS LIVING. Gehlen brings with her many years’ experience in the serviced apartment sector – including stints at Adina Apartment Hotels, H-Hotels and Deutsche Hospitality – and is therefore familiar with both the expectations of corporate clients and the operational requirements for high-quality accommodation available at short notice. “From my time in the hotel industry, I know how much a warm welcome makes a difference. At HAVENS LIVING, we carry that feeling through the entire stay,” says Gehlen.
Since the brand’s launch, HAVENS LIVING has been aimed at professionals, skilled workers and expats who are moving to a new city for an extended period. Alongside the privacy offered by fully equipped flats with their own kitchen and bathroom in central locations, the concept deliberately emphasises community. An on-site host team acts as a point of contact for all enquiries and issues the landlord’s confirmation, which is required to register your residence – the first step in dealing with the authorities in Germany. Regular events, excursions and tours, as well as collaborations with local partners, help residents to socialise. Communal areas such as the co-working lounge, kitchen and bar, the gym, the roof terrace and the courtyard provide the space for this.
By expanding its corporate partnerships, International Campus HAVENS LIVING is also specifically developing its B2B offering. Every enquiry is dealt with on a case-by-case basis, whether for individual flats or larger blocks: International Campus tailors its offering to the specific circumstances of each business, such as budget, timeframe and the number of flats required. The service is primarily designed to help employers in cities with tight housing markets provide new staff with accommodation right from the start of their employment. This offers a double benefit for employers: staff who settle in quickly also get to grips with their job more quickly and are more likely to remain loyal to the company.
