€750 for an Apartment? Kaltmiete or Warmmiete? | German Podcast A2–B1
Looking for an apartment in Germany can be confusing—especially when you see words such as Kaltmiete, Warmmiete, Nebenkosten, Einbauküche or Zwei-Zimmer-Wohnung for the first time.
In this episode of Deutsch Podcast 101 FM, Emil and Sophia examine a realistic apartment listing. Sophia believes she has found a two-room apartment for only €750—but has she understood the price and number of rooms correctly?
You will learn how to:
• understand German apartment listings
• distinguish between Kaltmiete and Warmmiete
• calculate the approximate monthly rent
• understand how rooms are counted in Germany
• ask what is included in the apartment
• compare two different listings
• contact a landlord politely
• request an apartment viewing
Understanding the rent:
die Kaltmiete — basic rent without additional service charges
die Nebenkosten — additional building and utility-related charges
die Warmmiete — Kaltmiete plus the listed Nebenkosten
Example:
750 € Kaltmiete + 180 € Nebenkosten = 930 € Warmmiete
However, electricity, internet and some other costs may still have to be paid separately. Always ask exactly what is included.
„Wie hoch ist die Warmmiete?“
How much is the total warm rent?
„Was ist in den Nebenkosten enthalten?“
What is included in the additional charges?
„Sind Strom und Internet in der Warmmiete enthalten?“
Are electricity and internet included in the warm rent?
Understanding the apartment:
die Zwei-Zimmer-Wohnung — a two-room apartment
In Germany, the living room normally counts as a room. A two-room apartment usually means one living room and one bedroom—not two bedrooms.
die Wohnfläche — living space
der Quadratmeter — square metre
die Einbauküche — fitted kitchen
möbliert — furnished
unmöbliert — unfurnished
ab sofort — available immediately
frei ab … — available from …
zentral gelegen — centrally located
die Besichtigung — apartment viewing
️ Useful questions:
„Wie viele Schlafzimmer hat die Wohnung?“
How many bedrooms does the apartment have?
„Gehört die Einbauküche zur Wohnung?“
Is the fitted kitchen included with the apartment?
„Welche Küchengeräte gehören dazu?“
Which kitchen appliances are included?
„Bleiben die Möbel in der Wohnung?“
Will the furniture remain in the apartment?
„Ab wann ist die Wohnung frei?“
From when is the apartment available?
„Wie weit ist die Wohnung vom Stadtzentrum entfernt?“
How far is the apartment from the city centre?
️ Message to a landlord:
„Guten Tag, ich interessiere mich für Ihre Wohnung. Ist die Wohnung noch verfügbar? Wann wäre eine Besichtigung möglich? Viele Grüße, [Name]“
Hello, I am interested in your apartment. Is it still available? When would a viewing be possible? Kind regards, [name]
️ Important reminder:
Never look only at the largest price in the listing. Check the complete monthly cost, location, number of rooms, availability, kitchen and furniture. If an offer seems unusually cheap, ask questions and view the apartment before sending money.
Useful sentence for comparing apartments:
„Ich würde Wohnung B nehmen, weil sie zentral liegt und einen Balkon hat.“
I would choose apartment B because it is centrally located and has a balcony.
Which is more important to you: lower rent, a central location, more space or a fitted kitchen?
Learn German naturally. Understand everyday life in Germany. Speak with more confidence.
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