PhD Handbook

25 Useful web pages (partly only in German): www.wg-gesucht.de www.howtogermany.com/pages/housing.html www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Apartment_rental www.reddit.com/r/germany/comments/19z6o4/a_friend_ wrote_a_guide_renting_apartments/ Terminology Kaltmiete: Basic rent for the flat, net rent Warmmiete: includes most utilities like heating and water, but usually does not include phone/internet Nebenkosten: additional costs e.g. heating, water, rubbish removal, cleaning of common areas in the apartment building, maintenance Staffelmiete: this means your rent will be increased each year OG: “Obergeschoss” is the top floor EG: “Erdgeschoss” is the ground floor Vermieter: landlord Mieter: tenant Hauptmieter: main tenant Untermieter: sub-tenant (if the room is allowed to be sub-let) Miete: rent Before signing a contract It is common, and highly recommended, to go through the flat at the beginning of the lease to agree on the condition and de- fects of the flat. This inventory will be used at the end of the lease to indicate any damage or missing parts that need repair (or the money will be deducted from your deposit (“Kaution”)). Make sure you or a trusted person see the apartment first be- fore you transfer any money for rent or deposit. Unfortunately scammers sometimes try to take advantage of the situation of people arriving from overseas. Common contractual obligations for landlord and tenant The landlord is required to provide an apartment in a livable condition and maintain the walls, heating and electricity sup- ply, drainage system, and windows. As the tenant, you are responsible for maintaining the apartment in the same condition as you found it. Particularly important is proper heating and sufficient ventilation because otherwise mold (“Schimmel”) may develop. The costs of any damages may be deducted from your deposit. If you moved into a freshly painted apartment, then you should also paint the apartment before you leave. There may be details about this written into your contract. Talk to your landlord and agree on what is required before you move out. Mietervereine Support from the German Tenant Association (“Mieterverein”) is available for members if you run into trouble with your rental situation. Membership costs around €50-100 per year although if you have a very short question, you can also try their hotline 0900 12 000 12 (from a German landline, costs €2 per minute) or for initial advice, send an e-mail to the Mie- terverbund 24 (www.mieterbund24.de) who will provide you with assistance within 6 hours (at a cost of €25). This is the central website for all of the “Mietervereine” in Germany, where you can search for the one for your city www.mieterbund.de (only in German). www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Mietverein (unofficial infor- mation in English) their hotline 09001200012 (from a German landline, costs

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