Common German rental terms every tenant should know
Here are common German rental terms every tenant should know:
Kaltmiete: The basic rent without utilities included; this is the net rent tenant pays for the apartment itself.
Warmmiete: The rent amount including Kaltmiete plus ancillary costs (Nebenkosten) like heating, water, garbage disposal, and maintenance of communal areas.
Nebenkosten: Additional costs or services charged on top of the basic rent, covering operating expenses such as water, heating, garbage collection, and building maintenance.
Mietvertrag: Rental contract or lease agreement that sets out the terms and conditions of the tenancy, which can be fixed-term (befristet) or indefinite (unbefristet).
Befristet: Fixed-term rental contract with a specific start and end date, often used for student housing or temporary lets.
Unbefristet: Open-ended or indefinite rental contract without an end date; tenants normally have the right to terminate with notice.
Kaution: Security deposit, usually up to three times the net cold rent, paid upfront and refundable at the end of the tenancy if no damages or unpaid rent exist.
Hausordnung: House rules that tenants should follow relating to things like waste separation, noise levels, and ventilation.
Staffelmiete: Graduated or stepped rent where the rent increases are predetermined over time.
Mieterschutzverein: Tenant protection association that provides legal advice and support for tenants in disputes.
Anmeldung: Registration of your new address with the local authorities within 14 days of moving in, which is mandatory.
Notice Period: Typically, tenants must give three months’ notice to terminate an indefinite rental contract.
Kleinreparaturen: Minor repairs tenants might be responsible for if included in the rental contract.
These terms form the basic vocabulary every tenant in Germany should understand to navigate rental agreements and tenancy rights effectively. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6