Viewing a flat in Germany: German for the Wohnungsbesichtigung
At a Wohnungsbesichtigung (flat viewing) you introduce yourself, look around, ask the questions that matter and show that you are a reliable tenant. The key flat viewing phrases are Ich interessiere mich für die Wohnung (I'm interested in the flat), Wie hoch sind die Nebenkosten? (how high are the service charges?), Ab wann ist die Wohnung frei? (from when is it available?) and Ich habe alle Unterlagen dabei (I have all my documents with me). Learn the words of the advert beforehand and follow up the same day.
How do you read a German flat advert?
Flat adverts are short and full of abbreviations. Understand these before you reply, because they decide what you will really pay and what you will find inside.
| In the advert | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die Kaltmiete | the bare rent, without heating and service charges |
| die Nebenkosten (NK) | the service charges: heating, water, rubbish, cleaning of the stairs |
| die Warmmiete | Kaltmiete plus Nebenkosten |
| die Kaution | the deposit |
| 3 Zimmer, 3 Zi. | three living rooms; kitchen and bathroom are not counted |
| ZKB | Zimmer, Küche, Bad: rooms, kitchen, bathroom |
| EBK, die Einbauküche | a fitted kitchen is included |
| der Altbau, der Neubau | an older building, often with high ceilings; a newer one |
| EG, 2. OG, DG | ground floor, second floor, top floor under the roof |
| befristet | a fixed-term contract |
| provisionsfrei | no agent's fee for you |
Electricity is usually not part of the Nebenkosten; you sign your own contract with a provider after you move in.
How do you ask for a viewing in German?
Most viewings are arranged by message or email through a flat portal. Keep it short, friendly and concrete: who you are, why this flat, and when you could come.
Sehr geehrte Frau Weber, ich interessiere mich sehr für Ihre 2-Zimmer-Wohnung in der Lindenstraße.
Dear Ms Weber, I'm very interested in your two-room flat in Lindenstraße.
Ich arbeite als Ingenieurin bei einer Firma in der Nähe und suche eine ruhige Wohnung für mich allein.
I work as an engineer at a company nearby and I'm looking for a quiet flat for myself.
Wann könnte ich die Wohnung besichtigen?
When could I view the flat?
Ich bin flexibel und kann auch abends kommen.
I'm flexible and can also come in the evening.
If there is a phone number, calling can help you stand out. Phone calls in German shows how to start the call and spell your name.
What should you ask at a flat viewing?
You do not need many questions, but the right ones show that you are serious and protect you from surprises.
Wie hoch sind die Nebenkosten?
How high are the service charges?
Sind Heizung und Warmwasser in den Nebenkosten enthalten?
Are heating and hot water included in the service charges?
Ab wann ist die Wohnung frei?
From when is the flat available?
Ist der Mietvertrag befristet?
Is the tenancy agreement fixed-term?
Wie hoch ist die Kaution?
How much is the deposit?
Gibt es einen Keller oder einen Abstellraum?
Is there a cellar or a storage room?
Sind Haustiere erlaubt?
Are pets allowed?
Sometimes the previous tenant wants to sell you their kitchen or furniture. You will hear der Vormieter (the previous tenant) and die Ablöse (the payment for what they leave behind):
Muss ich die Küche vom Vormieter übernehmen?
Do I have to take over the kitchen from the previous tenant?
What documents should you bring to a viewing?
In cities with many applicants, landlords often decide on the spot or the same day, so bring a folder with copies. People call it die Bewerbungsmappe, the same word as for a job application.
- Die Mieterselbstauskunft: a form with your details, income and household. Landlords often hand out their own.
- Einkommensnachweise: proof of income, usually your last payslips (die Gehaltsabrechnungen) or your employment contract.
- Die SCHUFA-Auskunft: a report from Germany's main credit agency showing you pay your bills.
- Die Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung: a letter from your previous landlord saying you owe no rent.
- A copy of your passport or ID card.
If you have just arrived and have no German credit history yet, say so openly and offer what you have, such as a letter from your employer:
Ich bin erst seit zwei Monaten in Deutschland und habe deshalb noch keine SCHUFA-Auskunft.
I've only been in Germany for two months, so I don't have a SCHUFA report yet.
Ich kann Ihnen aber meinen Arbeitsvertrag zeigen.
But I can show you my employment contract.
How do you present yourself as a good tenant?
Landlords look for someone quiet, reliable and likely to stay. Say a few sentences about your work and your plans, and be clear that you want the flat. The polite würde and könnte help here; Konjunktiv II explains how they work.
Ich arbeite seit einem Jahr als Pflegekraft im Klinikum.
I've been working as a nurse at the hospital for a year.
Ich wohne allein und rauche nicht.
I live alone and I don't smoke.
Ich suche etwas Langfristiges.
I'm looking for something long-term.
Die Wohnung gefällt mir sehr gut. Ich würde sie gern nehmen.
I like the flat very much. I'd like to take it.
Then follow up the same day with a short message:
Vielen Dank für die Besichtigung heute. Ich habe großes Interesse an der Wohnung.
Thank you for the viewing today. I'm very interested in the flat.
How does Linota help with a flat viewing?
Linota has a mission set at a flat viewing where you compete against three other applicants. You talk to the landlord in your own German, typed or spoken, and every reply gets feedback, so you learn what makes a good impression. In Places you can also walk through a flat viewing in 3D, tap the rooms, things and people, and save the words you will need, from der Keller to die Kaution.
The short version
- Learn the advert words: Kaltmiete, Nebenkosten, Warmmiete, Kaution, Zimmer, EBK.
- Ask for a viewing in a short, concrete message.
- Ask about the Nebenkosten, the date the flat is free and the deposit.
- Bring your documents in a folder and say clearly that you want the flat.
- Never pay before you have seen the flat and signed.
Once you have the keys, you register your new address. The German for your Anmeldung explains how, and opening a bank account helps you set up the rent payments.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Kaltmiete and Warmmiete?
Kaltmiete is the bare rent for the flat. Warmmiete is the Kaltmiete plus the service charges (die Nebenkosten), which usually include heating, water and rubbish collection. Electricity is usually not included, so you sign your own contract for it.
What does 3 Zimmer mean in a German flat advert?
It means three rooms that you live in, such as a living room and two bedrooms. The kitchen, bathroom and hallway are not counted. So a 2-Zimmer-Wohnung is a flat with a living room and one bedroom.
How much deposit can a landlord ask for in Germany?
By law the deposit (die Kaution) may be at most three months' Kaltmiete, and tenants may pay it in three instalments. Never pay a deposit or any other money before you have seen the flat and signed a contract.
What should I write after a flat viewing?
Send a short, friendly message the same day: thank the landlord for the viewing, say you are very interested, and offer to send any missing documents. Ich habe großes Interesse an der Wohnung is the key sentence.
This post teaches the German for the situation. It is not legal, tax, medical or financial advice, and rules change: for your own case, ask the office, your employer, a doctor or a qualified adviser.