Der Mietvertrag im Detail
The earlier apartment-hunting lesson covered viewing and applying for a flat. This lesson goes further: the vocabulary you need once you have signed a contract and live with its terms.
| der Mietvertrag | rental contract |
| die Nebenkosten | utility costs (heating, water, etc.) |
| die Kaution | deposit |
| die Kündigungsfrist | notice period |
| die Nebenkostenabrechnung | annual utility bill statement |
| die Schönheitsreparaturen | redecoration obligations |
| der Mieterverein | tenant association |
1. What does "die Kaution" mean?
Die Kündigungsfrist beträgt drei Monate. (The notice period is three months.)
Die Nebenkosten sind im Mietvertrag nicht enthalten. (The utility costs are not included in the rental contract.)
2. "Die Kündigungsfrist beträgt drei Monate" means what?
Once a year, your landlord sends a statement comparing what you paid in advance for utilities against what you actually used. If you paid too little, you owe a Nachzahlung (back payment); if you paid too much, you get a Rückzahlung (refund).
Laut der Nebenkostenabrechnung muss ich 150 Euro nachzahlen. (According to the utility statement, I have to pay 150 euros back.)
3. If you paid too much for utilities during the year, what do you get?
4. Who can you contact for help if you have a dispute with your landlord?
5. What are "Schönheitsreparaturen"?
Aligned with standard Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc B1 exam syllabus topics.
Want to walk through a real Nebenkostenabrechnung line by line? Ask your teaching agent.