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German Bureaucracy Glossary

essential terms explained in plain language.

115 terms

Housing

Betriebskostenabrechnung

also: Nebenkostenabrechnung

Service charge statement — annual breakdown of operating costs (heating, water, maintenance) for your rental.

Eigentümer

Owner — the legal owner of a property.

Grundbuch

Land register — official register of property ownership maintained by the Amtsgericht.

Kündigung

Termination notice — formal cancellation of a contract (e.g. rental, employment, insurance).

Hiermit kündigen wir Ihren Mietvertrag fristgerecht zum 30.06.2024.

Mieter

Tenant — the person renting a property.

Mietkaution

Rental deposit — security deposit, legally capped at 3 months' net rent in Germany.

Mietvertrag

Rental contract — the legal agreement between tenant and landlord governing the tenancy.

Nebenkosten

Additional costs / service charges — costs beyond the base rent (heating, water, waste, maintenance) billed annually.

Vermieter

Landlord — the person or company renting out a property.