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When reading the property classifieds looking for a house or apartment to buy or to rent, some terms may be unfamiliar - here are English translations of the key German real estate words and phrases...
When reading the property-related classified advertisements in German newspapers and magazines it can help to know some of the key abbreviations and jargon terms.
Abbreviations
Abbreviation | German | English meaning |
---|---|---|
AB | Altbau | Old building pre-1945 |
BK | Balkon | Balcony |
KM | Kaltmiete | Cold rent (basic rent only with no additional costs included) |
WM | Warmmiete | Warm rent (includes additional costs such as water property tax, chimney sweeping, street cleaning and waste disposal) |
NK | Nebenkosten | Extra costs |
BZ | Badezimmer | Bathroom |
ZH/GH/EH | (Zentral-/Gaz-/Etageheizung) | Central, gas and floor heating |
Terms and Jargon
German | English explanation |
---|---|
Accommodation offered/wanted | |
Der Immobilienmakler | Estate agents |
Das Apartmenthaus | Apartment blocks |
Wohnung zu vermieten | Apartment for rent |
Mietwohnung gesucht | Rental apartment wanted |
Mietobjekt gesucht | Rental wanted |
mieten | To rent |
möbiliert | Furnished |
Die Wohnung | Flat/apartment |
vermieten | To let out |
Das Mietshaus | Block of rented apartments |
Die Eigentumswohnung | Owner occupied flat |
Die Mietwohnung | Rented flat |
Mietwohnung | Rented residential property |
Ankauf und Verkauf von Wohnobjekt | Purchase and sale of residential property |
Ferienimmobilien | Holiday residences |
Das Einfamilienhaus | Detached house |
Das Zweifamilienhaus/Die Doppelhaushälfte | Semi-detached house |
Das Reihenhaus | Terraced house |
Der Bungalow | Bungalow |
Die Loggia | Loggia |
Das Schloss | Palace |
Unmöbiliert | Unfurnished |
Der Luxus | Luxury |
Rooms and amenities | |
Die Annehmlichkeiten | Home amenities |
Ungefähr/Circa (ca.) | Approximately |
Die Eingangshalle | Entrance hall |
Der Flur | Corridor |
Zimmer (Der Aufzugschacht), (Der Treppenhausschacht) | Rooms (lift-shafts), (stairwells) |
Die Küche | Kitchen |
Das Wohnzimmer | Living room |
Das Badezimmer/Die Einrichtungen | Bathroom/facilities |
Die Badewanne/Das Badezimmer/Die Toiletten | Bath/bathrooms/toilets |
Die Badewanne/Heißwasserspeicher | Bath/tank |
Die Dusche | Shower |
Die Toilette | Toilet |
Das Bidet | Bidet |
Der Holzofen | Wood burning oven |
Der Kamin | Fireplace/hearth |
Decke mit frei liegenden Holzbalken | Ceiling with the beams showing/rafted ceiling |
Das Parkett / Der Parketfußboden | Wooden parquet flooring |
Der Terrakotta Fliesenfußboden | Terracotta tiled flooring |
Die Fensterläden | Shutters |
Die Rollläden | Rolling shutter |
Die Waschküche | Utility/laundry room |
Die Garage | Lock-up garage |
Das Schwimmbad | Swimming pool |
Die Gartenlaube | Arbour |
Der Balkon | Balcony |
Die Terrasse | Terrace |
Der Garten | Garden |
Der Weinberg | Vineyard |
Der privater Eingang | Private entrance |
Der Parkplatz | Parking area |
Utilities, metering and bills | |
Der Stromanschluss | Connection to the power supply |
Rechnungen per Einzugsermächtigung oder Dauerauftrag zahlen | Payment of bills by direct debit or standing order |
Gas-/Telefonversorger wechseln | Transfer of gas/telephone subscription |
Der Zähler (Wasser/Strom) | Meter (water/electricity) |
Die Rechnung | Bill |
Die Gasflasche | Bottled gas/cylinder |
Der Gasbehälter | Gas tank |
Der Herd | Oven |
Die Gasversorgung | Mains gas |
Die Wasserheizung | Water heater |
Die Fernwärme | District heating |
Die Heizung | Heating |
Der Elektriker | Electrician |
Treppenreinigung | Stairway cleaning |
Contracts and terms | |
kündigen/(einen Vertrag) beenden | To give notice/terminate (a contract) |
Freier Markt Vertrag | Free market contract |
Faire Miete | Fair rent |
Die Gesamtsumme | Total amount |
Das Inventar | Inventory |
Die Hypothek/Die gesamte Hypothek | Mortgage/total mortgage |
Erfüllt seinen Zweck | Functional |
Unschlagbare Preise, so niedrig wie …. | Unbeatable prices, as low as…. |
Direkter Verkauf vom Besitzer (kein Agentur) | Direct sale by owner (no agency) |
Datum fällig/Fällig am | Due date |
A.G. | P.L.C |
Das Grundstück/Der Grundbesitz | Land/landed property |
Das Baugebiet | Land allocated for development |
Die Quadratmeter | Square meters |
Das Grundbuch | Land register |