First Phrases

Renting a flat · Deutsch

Renting a flat in German: 12 survival phrases

Ask about the rent, the bills, the deposit and the contract, arrange a viewing, and ask who to call when something breaks.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Sie" with agents and landlords. "Kaltmiete" = rent without bills, "Warmmiete" = rent including "Nebenkosten" (bills), "Kaution" = deposit, "Mietvertrag" = lease. To register your address (Anmeldung) you need the landlord's "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung".

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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Official names used

On this card: Kaltmiete, Warmmiete, Nebenkosten, Kaution, Mietvertrag, Anmeldung. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Ich suche eine Wohnung zur Miete.
    Say it like: ikh ZOO-kheh INE-eh VOH-noong tsoor MEE-teh
    I'm looking for a flat to rent.
    Register: Neutral.
  2. 02Neutral
    Ist die Wohnung noch frei?
    Say it like: ist dee VOH-noong nokh fry
    Is the flat still available?
    Register: Neutral.
  3. 03Neutral
    Wie hoch ist die Miete pro Monat?
    Say it like: vee hohkh ist dee MEE-teh proh MOH-nat
    How much is the rent per month?
    Register: Ask: "Kalt- oder Warmmiete?" (without or with bills).
  4. 04Neutral
    Sind die Nebenkosten schon enthalten?
    Say it like: zint dee NAY-ben-kos-ten shohn ent-HAHL-ten
    Are the bills (Nebenkosten) already included?
    Register: Neutral.
  5. 05Neutral
    Wie hoch ist die Kaution?
    Say it like: vee hohkh ist dee kow-TSYOHN
    How much is the deposit?
    Register: Neutral.
  6. 06Neutral
    Wie lange läuft der Mietvertrag?
    Say it like: vee LAHNG-eh loyft der MEET-fer-trahk
    How long does the lease run?
    Register: Neutral.
  7. 07Polite
    Kann ich die Wohnung besichtigen? Wann wäre das möglich?
    Say it like: kahn ikh dee VOH-noong beh-ZIKH-ti-gen? vahn VAY-reh dahs MOEG-likh
    Can I view the flat? When would that be possible?
    Register: "Wäre" softens the question.
  8. 08Neutral
    Ist die Wohnung möbliert?
    Say it like: ist dee VOH-noong moe-BLEERT
    Is the flat furnished?
    Register: Neutral.
  9. 09Neutral
    Sind Haustiere erlaubt?
    Say it like: zint HOWS-tee-reh er-LOWPT
    Are pets allowed?
    Register: Neutral.
  10. 10Neutral
    Kann ich mich an dieser Adresse anmelden?
    Say it like: kahn ikh mikh ahn DEE-zer ah-DRES-eh AHN-mel-den
    Can I register (anmelden) at this address?
    Register: You need the landlord's confirmation for the Anmeldung.
  11. 11Polite
    Kann ich eine Kopie des Mietvertrags bekommen?
    Say it like: kahn ikh INE-eh KOH-pee des MEET-fer-trahks beh-KOM-men
    Could I get a copy of the lease?
    Register: Polite.
  12. 12Neutral
    Wen rufe ich an, wenn etwas kaputtgeht?
    Say it like: vayn ROO-feh ikh ahn, ven ET-vahs kah-POOT-gayt
    Who do I call if something breaks?
    Register: Neutral.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start when renting a flat in German?

Start with: "Ich suche eine Wohnung zur Miete." (I'm looking for a flat to rent.)

Should I use informal or formal German when renting a flat?

Use "Sie" with agents and landlords. "Kaltmiete" = rent without bills, "Warmmiete" = rent including "Nebenkosten" (bills), "Kaution" = deposit, "Mietvertrag" = lease. To register your address (Anmeldung) you need the landlord's "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung".

How do I ask how much the rent is in German?

Try: "Wie hoch ist die Miete pro Monat?" (How much is the rent per month?)

Same errand, another language

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German, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat

All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

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