Guides
Tenant FAQ for moving and move-in
Short answers to common rental questions about deposit, rent increases, service charges, handover, area and renovation.
Is the deposit calculated from warm rent?
For German residential rentals, net base rent is the important basis. The deposit calculator therefore uses base rent and references § 551 BGB.
Can the deposit be paid in installments?
The installment planner only shows liquidity. The actual payment depends on law, contract and agreement.
What does warm rent include?
Warm rent usually means base rent plus service and heating prepayments. Electricity, internet and broadcasting fee often run separately.
Why can low service prepayments be risky?
Low prepayments can lead to back payments. Check area, heating share, allocation key and billing period.
Which service-charge points come first?
Period, correct apartment, allocable cost, calculation path, prepayments, allocation key, heating share and evidence are the first checks.
How should I read a rent increase?
Compare current amount, new amount, reasoning, months since last increase, comparable rent and cap. The tool gives only a check signal.
Does the tool contain a local rent index?
No. You enter the value yourself, for example from a rent index or the landlord's reasoning. No database is queried.
What does the cap mean?
In the basic model it limits increases within three years. Whether 20 percent or 15 percent applies depends on the area.
Are modernization increases the same?
No. Modernization is reasoned differently. The tool only marks that § 559 BGB needs separate attention.
Do I always have to paint when moving out?
Not generally. Condition, handover, clause and actual wear matter. This page does not review clauses.
What belongs in a handover protocol?
Meter readings, keys, defects, photos, rooms, date, participants and open points should be recorded clearly.
How should defects be documented?
With photo, room, exact location, date and short description. Vague collective terms make later clarification harder.
Does balcony area count fully?
Not automatically. Outdoor areas are often counted only partially. The area calculator shows assumptions visibly.
Why measure furniture before signing?
Doors, windows, radiators, outlets and circulation space decide whether the home works in practice.
How do we split shared-flat costs fairly?
Separate fixed costs, shared utility and room size. A transparent formula prevents recurring arguments.
Who pays electricity in a shared flat?
It depends on contract and internal agreement. Practically, agree a monthly split and back-payment rule.
How early should power and internet be ordered?
Early enough that meter, contract start, router and technician date are clear before the first week.
How large should the moving buffer be?
It depends on distance, helpers, furniture and risk. The moving calculator separates base amount and buffer.
Why is the first month so expensive?
Deposit, first warm rent, transport, furniture, kitchen, essentials and setup can be due at the same time.
Does this website replace advice?
No. All calculators provide orientation, not tenancy-law advice, contract review or structural assessment.
Which sources are used?
Official law texts, consumer information and a transparent methodology page. Sources are linked on the source page.