Useful phrases for apartment viewings in Germany
Here are useful German phrases for apartment viewings in Germany, covering introduction, scheduling, and questions to ask during the viewing:
Basic Phrases for Initial Contact
- Guten Tag, mein Name ist [Your Name]. Ich interessiere mich für die Wohnung.
(Good day, my name is [Your Name]. I am interested in the apartment.) - Wann kann ich die Wohnung besichtigen?
(When can I view the apartment?) - Ist die Wohnung noch verfügbar?
(Is the apartment still available?)
A short, polite opening matters in German housing situations because landlords and agents often receive many inquiries. A clear sentence with a name and a direct reason for contact sounds more natural than a long introduction.
A useful pronunciation point is besichtigen, which means “to view” or “to inspect.” In everyday apartment language, besichtigen is the standard verb, while anschauen sounds a little more informal.
Phrases for Scheduling Visits
- Könnten wir einen Termin für Samstag Vormittag vereinbaren?
(Could we arrange a viewing for Saturday morning?) - Wann passt es Ihnen, die Wohnung zu zeigen?
(When is it convenient for you to show the apartment?) - Ich möchte den Besichtigungstermin für [day/time] bestätigen.
(I would like to confirm the viewing appointment for [day/time].)
In Germany, apartment viewings are often grouped into fixed time slots, especially in cities with high demand. Using Termin makes the request sound organized and practical, which is usually appreciated.
Vormittag means morning, but in German it usually refers to the time before noon rather than a strict clock range. If a precise time is important, it is safer to say um 10 Uhr or um 10:30 Uhr.
Asking About Apartment Features
- Ist die Wohnung möbliert oder unmöbliert?
(Is the apartment furnished or unfurnished?) - Welche Nebenkosten sind in der Miete enthalten?
(Which utilities are included in the rent?) - Gibt es Einkaufsmöglichkeiten oder öffentliche Verkehrsmittel in der Nähe?
(Are there shopping facilities or public transport nearby?)
These questions are especially important in Germany because the monthly price can be split into Kaltmiete and Nebenkosten. Kaltmiete is the base rent, while Nebenkosten usually covers additional building or service costs such as heating, water, and waste disposal, depending on the contract.
A very common housing phrase is Warmmiete, which means the base rent plus many of the running costs. The exact contents still depend on the listing, so it is worth asking what is included rather than assuming.
Additional Useful Phrases
- Wie hoch ist die Miete?
(How much is the rent?) - Wie viel Kaution ist erforderlich?
(How much is the deposit?) - Sind Haustiere erlaubt?
(Are pets allowed?) - Gibt es einen Aufzug im Gebäude?
(Is there an elevator in the building?) - Hat die Wohnung einen Balkon?
(Does the apartment have a balcony?)
The word Kaution is important because German landlords often ask for a deposit of up to three months’ cold rent, known in practice as drei Nettokaltmieten. Asking about it early avoids surprises later.
For location-related questions, in der Nähe is a very flexible phrase. It can be used for supermarkets, train stations, tram stops, parks, and schools, so it is one of the most useful expressions in real apartment conversations.
Useful extra questions for the viewing
- Wie alt ist das Gebäude?
- Gibt es eine Einbauküche?
- Wie ist die Heizung geregelt?
- Kann ich die Wohnung sofort beziehen?
- Gibt es einen Keller oder Abstellraum?
These phrases help cover practical details that are often decisive in Germany. Einbauküche means a fitted kitchen, and in many cities it is a major selling point because some apartments are rented without a kitchen at all.
Common mistakes to avoid
A frequent mistake is translating directly from English and asking only Was kostet es? in a housing context. Wie hoch ist die Miete? is more natural and specific. Another common issue is using Zimmer when Wohnung is needed; Zimmer means a room, while Wohnung means the whole apartment.
Polite forms also matter. Using Sie for formal address is standard in viewings with agents, landlords, and strangers. In German apartment searches, that formality is part of sounding reliable and respectful.
Quick pronunciation help
- Wohnung: the w sounds like English v
- besichtigen: stress on -sicht-
- Kaution: often pronounced with a clear ts sound
- Nebenkosten: ne-ben-kos-ten, four clear syllables
Practising these phrases out loud improves recall much faster than reading them silently. Conversation rehearsal, including with an AI tutor, is especially useful here because apartment viewings depend on speed, politeness, and pronunciation under pressure.
These phrases will help make a good impression and enable asking important questions during apartment viewings in German-speaking contexts.