Terms guide
Kaltmiete vs Warmmiete vs Nebenkosten
By the Zusage.app editorial team · Reviewed · How we research
Practical guide for renters in Germany. Informational only, not legal advice.
These three terms change whether a listing is actually affordable, so understanding them early saves time.
Explanation
Kaltmiete is the base cold rent. Warmmiete usually means Kaltmiete plus running additional costs. Nebenkosten are the additional costs themselves.
A listing can look attractive on the cold rent alone and become much less comfortable once the full warm rent and deposit are clear.
German example
Kaltmiete 980 Euro, Nebenkosten 220 Euro, Warmmiete 1.200 Euro zzgl. Strom und Internet.
English translation
Cold rent 980 euros, additional costs 220 euros, warm rent 1,200 euros excluding electricity and internet.
Common mistakes
- Comparing only Kaltmiete between listings.
- Assuming all utilities are included in Warmmiete.
- Ignoring extra one-off costs like deposit and moving expenses.
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Sources
Sources support the general context above. Individual landlord requirements and listing terms vary.
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