German Housing Vocabulary Explained (Kaltmiete, Warmmiete, Kaution)

If you are renting an apartment in Germany, vocabulary matters more than grammar. Many expats misunderstand listings, contracts, and costs not because their German is bad — but because German housing uses very specific terms that do not translate directly into English.

Words like Kaltmiete, Warmmiete, and Kaution look simple. In reality, they define your monthly costs, your upfront payments, and your legal obligations.

This article explains German housing vocabulary in plain English, with real examples, common mistakes, and phonetic pronunciation so you can recognize these words when you hear them and use them correctly.

1) Why German housing vocabulary is confusing for expats

German housing language developed for locals who already understand the system. Listings assume you know what is included and what is not.

English-speaking expats often assume:

rent means total rent
utilities are always included
deposits work the same everywhere

In Germany, none of this is guaranteed.

2) Kaltmiete — the base rent (and nothing more)

Kaltmiete means the rent without utilities.

Pronunciation: KALT-mee-tuh

This is the amount the landlord receives for the apartment itself.

What Kaltmiete includes

use of the apartment
use of shared spaces

What Kaltmiete does NOT include

heating
water
electricity
internet

Example sentence:

Die Kaltmiete beträgt 900 Euro. (dee KALT-mee-tuh beh-TREGT 900 OY-ro)

3) Nebenkosten — additional costs you must budget for

Nebenkosten are additional costs paid monthly.

Pronunciation: NAY-ben-kos-ten

Typical Nebenkosten include

water
heating
trash collection
building cleaning

Example sentence:

Die Nebenkosten liegen bei 200 Euro. (dee NAY-ben-kos-ten LEE-gen by 200 OY-ro)

4) Warmmiete — what most people think “rent” means

Warmmiete is the total monthly payment including Kaltmiete and Nebenkosten.

Pronunciation: VARM-mee-tuh

This is the number most expats should focus on.

Example sentence:

Die Warmmiete beträgt 1.100 Euro. (dee VARM-mee-tuh beh-TREGT 1,100 OY-ro)

Important: electricity and internet are often NOT included even in Warmmiete.

5) Kaution — the deposit (and why it’s high)

Kaution is the rental deposit.

Pronunciation: kow-TSYOHN

By law, Kaution is usually up to three months of Kaltmiete.

Example sentence:

Die Kaution beträgt drei Monatskaltmieten. (dee kow-TSYOHN beh-TREGT dry MOH-nats-KALT-mee-ten)

6) Other essential housing vocabulary

Einbauküche (EBK)

Pronunciation: INE-bow-kew-khuh

Fitted kitchen. Often not included!

Mindestmietdauer

Pronunciation: MIN-dest-meet-dow-er

Minimum rental period.

Kündigungsfrist

Pronunciation: KÜN-di-goongs-frist

Notice period.

7) Common misunderstandings and costly mistakes

The most common mistake is budgeting based on Kaltmiete instead of Warmmiete.

Another mistake is underestimating the upfront cost of Kaution.

8) Vocabulary you hear during handover

Übergabeprotokoll (oo-BER-gah-buh-pro-to-koll)
Zählerstand (TSAY-ler-shtand)
Mängel (MEN-gel)

9) Speaking about costs confidently

Ist die Warmmiete inklusive Heizung? (ist dee VARM-mee-tuh in-kloo-SEE-vuh HIGH-tsoong)
Sind Strom und Internet extra? (zint shtrom oont IN-ter-net EKS-tra)

Final takeaway

German housing vocabulary is not difficult — but it is precise.

If you understand:

Kaltmiete
Nebenkosten
Warmmiete
Kaution

you already avoid most expensive mistakes.

For more housing phrases and templates, open the German Learning Toolkit.