Housing types
flat share / house share
nounShort for Wohngemeinschaft. Common and affordable in German cities.
studio flat
nounold building (pre-1949)
nounAltbau apartments have high ceilings, thick walls, wooden floors — popular but often with single-glazed windows.
new build
nouncellar / basement
nounMost German apartments include a Kellerraum for storage.
top floor / attic apartment
nounRental process
rental contract
nounIch unterschreibe den Mietvertrag.
I am signing the rental contract.
deposit
nounDie Kaution beträgt drei Monatsmieten.
The deposit is three months' rent.
tenant
nounutility costs / service charges
nounAdditional monthly costs: heating, water, waste — usually listed separately as "zzgl. NK".
base rent (without utilities)
nountotal rent (with utilities)
nounDie Warmmiete ist 1100 Euro.
The total rent is 1100 euros.
viewing
nounIch möchte eine Besichtigung vereinbaren.
I would like to arrange a viewing.
notice to vacate / cancellation
nounGerman rental law: tenants typically need 3 months' notice. Landlords need longer.
flat search
nounto rent out
verbto rent
verbIch miete eine Wohnung.
I am renting a flat.
Rooms
toilet
nounstudy / home office
noundining room
nounstorage room
nounstairs / staircase
nounFurniture
chest of drawers
nounmirror
nouncurtain
nounbedside table
nounfridge
nouncooker / stove
nounkitchen sink
nounAppliances
washing machine
nounOften in the Keller in older German buildings.
dishwasher
nounoven
nounmicrowave
nounheating
nounDie Heizung funktioniert nicht.
The heating is not working.
water heater / boiler
nounelectrical socket
nounlight switch
nounletterbox
nounYou'll need to attach your name to the Briefkasten — post will not be delivered without it.
Moving & admin
move / moving house
nounDer Umzug ist am Samstag.
The move is on Saturday.
registration (at Bürgeramt)
nounCRITICAL: You must register your address within 14 days of moving in. Needed for bank accounts, taxes, everything.
deregistration
nounRequired when leaving Germany or changing address.
flat handover
nounDocument everything during Übergabe — take photos of any existing damage before moving in.
handover report
nounWir machen ein Protokoll.
We are making a handover report.
property management company
nounrubbish / waste
nounGermany has strict waste sorting: Gelber Sack (recyclables), Biotonne (organic), Restmüll (general), Altpapier (paper).
In context
Flat viewing
Marcus besichtigt eine Wohnung. "Wie groß ist die Wohnung?" — "65 Quadratmeter." — "Wie hoch sind die Nebenkosten?" — "Ungefähr 200 Euro pro Monat." — "Wann wäre der früheste Einzugstermin?" Marcus entscheidet sich, eine Bewerbung einzureichen.
Reporting a repair
Die Heizung in Marcus' Wohnung funktioniert nicht. Er ruft die Hausverwaltung an: "Die Heizung ist kaputt, seit gestern Abend." — "Ich schicke morgen einen Techniker." Marcus notiert den Termin und bleibt zu Hause, bis der Techniker kommt.
Registering at the Bürgeramt
Marcus muss sich beim Bürgeramt anmelden. Er bringt seine Wohnungsgeberbestätigung und seinen Reisepass mit. Nach der Anmeldung bekommt er die Meldebescheinigung — er braucht sie für sein Bankkonto und für alle weiteren Behördengänge.
Practice this vocabulary in context
Seeing words here is a start. To actually remember them, use spaced repetition in our A2 course.
Frequently asked questions
Germany is a renter's country — most people rent long-term. Key points: Kaltmiete is base rent without utilities; Warmmiete includes Nebenkosten (heating, water, waste). You'll typically pay a Kaution (deposit) of 1–3 months' rent. The Wohnungsübergabe (handover) is critical — document all existing damage with photos before signing the Protokoll.
Anmeldung is the mandatory registration of your address at the local Bürgeramt (citizens' office). You must do this within 14 days of moving in. Without a Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) you cannot open a German bank account, apply for a tax number, or access most services. Your landlord must provide a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) for you to register.
Kaltmiete is the "cold" rent — just the apartment itself. Warmmiete ("warm" rent) includes Nebenkosten: typically heating, water, building maintenance, and waste disposal. The Nebenkosten are estimated monthly and reconciled annually in the Nebenkostenabrechnung. Electricity and internet are usually paid separately and directly to the provider.
Germany has strict Mülltrennung (waste separation). The main bins: gelbe Tonne/Gelber Sack (yellow, for packaging/plastics), Biotonne (brown, organic food waste), Altpapier (blue/grey, paper/cardboard), and Restmüll (grey/black, general waste). The Pfand (deposit) system means most bottles and cans are returned to the supermarket. Check your Hausordnung for bin collection days.