12 Things To Ask Your Landlord Before Renting An Apartment in Berlin

If you’re considering making Germany your new or temporary home, you’ve probably considered living in Berlin! After all, it is one of Germany’s most happening cities!

But, as a foreigner entering a new country, Germany can prove to be a bit too cold (pun intended)!

And as its capital and most vibrant city, Berlin can make you lose yourself in its beauty as much as it can confuse you to bits!

Their rules are different. And obviously so are their laws and agreements. It’s always safer to be aware of what you are getting into before you get into it, like renting a place in Berlin, which is obviously one of the first to-do-things on your list in a new city!

Rental Agreements

When renting a room or an apartment in Germany, you must always sign a rental agreement. A rental agreement protects both the landlord and the tenant.

Given the fierce competition in Berlin’s rental market, it’s a good idea to become acquainted with some rental terms and tenant rights. This way, when you see a rental contract, you’ll know what to look for.

Always make sure that you read the rental agreement thoroughly and clearly.

If the agreement is in German, get help from someone fluent in the language to read it for you. In case of any doubts or queries, always clear it with the landlord before you sign the rental agreement.

Here are a few pointers to ask your landlord before you rent a place in Berlin:

1. How Much Is the Rent?

The most important question to ask before renting an apartment is the first one. You might think this is self-evident. However, because apartment prices change on a daily basis, the price you saw a few days ago might look different today. Determine the monthly rent so you can budget accordingly.

Check for any late fees and the date the rent is due.

If you are looking for a short-term or month-to-month lease, the rent will most likely be higher. Before renting, know what questions to ask the landlord, such as what the rent prices look like based on the lease length.

2. What Is The Amount Of The Security Deposit?

Aside from rent, you’ll need to budget for a security deposit, which should always be one of the questions you ask before renting. The amount of a security deposit required varies. A security deposit is typically between one and three months’ rent. The most common deposit is the first and last month’s rent.

If an apartment complex needs a tenant quickly, they may offer reduced or waived security deposits. Look for the red rent special alert when apartment hunting on Apartment List to find these types of deals!

3. When Do You Want To Fill The Unit?

Inquiring with a prospective landlord about how soon they hope to fill the unit can provide you with the timeline you’ll need to begin planning your move.

Furthermore, if the landlord is eager to fill the unit as soon as possible, you may be able to negotiate some of the lease agreement terms.

4. Is The Rent Inclusive Of Utilities?

The building will frequently cover apartment utilities such as water and garbage collection. These utility costs are typically included in your monthly rent. However, the tenant is usually responsible for the cost of gas, electricity, and heating.

Remember that this varies from apartment to apartment. Before renting an apartment, it is critical to ask the property manager what utilities are included in your monthly rent and what you will be personally responsible for.

5. How Do I Pay for Utilities That I Cover?

Determine how to pay your utilities once you’ve determined which ones you’ll be personally responsible for during your apartment hunting questions. Find out who the complex’s electricity, gas, and internet service providers are. You should find out this information well in advance of your move-in date so that you can schedule utilities to be turned on.

The last thing you want is to think you’re all settled in, fire up Netflix, and get an error message because you forgot to hook up your WiFi.

When looking at apartments, know who to ask and what to ask to get an estimate of expected utility costs. For example, inquire with the property manager about what a tenant in a comparable unit typically pays for utilities.

To get a better idea, ask current or previous tenants what they have paid in the past. Alternatively, you could contact the utility companies directly and ask for an estimate.

6. What is Your Policy On Late Fees?

The most important questions to ask a landlord before renting a place concern finances. Understanding a landlord’s late fee policy should always be at the top of the priority list.

While you never expect to pay rent late as a prospective renter, you still want to make sure you have covered all of your bases. Aside from any fees you may incur, you should understand when rent is considered late, as this varies from landlord to landlord.

7. Are Lease Terminations Permitted?

Similarly to late fees, while you do not enter a lease expecting to be unable to fulfil it, things do happen. When looking for an apartment, the first question to ask, especially for those looking for a short-term lease, should always be about early lease terminations.

Some rental properties require you to pay for the entire lease term. For example, if you sign a 12-month lease and try to break it after only two months, you will be liable for the additional ten months’ rent.

8. What Is Your Policy On Subletting?

It is critical to ensure that you are legally permitted to sublet. Before renting an apartment, it should always be one of the questions you ask. Landlords may refuse to allow anyone other than their vetted tenant, you, to live on their property.

If you know you will be vacant from your rental property for an extended period of time and are considering subletting, make sure you first find out if you are allowed to before committing.

9. How is the Parking Situation?

A lot of people may be put off by the parking situation. Parking will be difficult if you own a car and live in a busy neighbourhood. If the highrise you’ve been eyeing doesn’t have a parking garage, you may be driving around in circles looking for street parking. That is why the parking policy should be at the top of your list of renter concerns.

Find out if the new apartment includes parking and how much it costs. Parking may be included in the rent, but it is usually an extra cost. Depending on where you live, you may have access to covered parking spaces, which are typically more expensive than non-covered spots.

Look for apartments with secured, gated garages and assigned parking spaces. This will save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run.

10. What are Your Pet Policies?

Renting with pets can present some unique challenges. Pet policies in apartments can be complicated. Know what questions to ask when renting an apartment with your pet.

First, inquire whether the building is pet-friendly. If so, specify which pets are permitted. Many landlords have breed restrictions or weight limits for dogs, so make sure yours is approved.

11. Is Renters Insurance Necessary?

Some landlords will require renters insurance in order for your apartment application to be approved.

Even if renters insurance is not required, you should strongly consider it. It’s a low monthly cost that could save your life. Renters insurance, for example, will cover the cost of your possessions that have been lost or damaged as a result of burglary, fires, vandalism, and so on, and typically costs between $15 and $30 per month.

12. Will There Ever Be An Increase In My Rent?

If you intend to stay in the same apartment for the foreseeable future, you should inquire about any potential changes when renewing your lease.

If you’re in it for the long haul, you probably don’t want to live somewhere that raises its rent on a regular basis. So, when deciding what questions to ask when renting an apartment, keep the long term in mind.

Overall

Get all of the crucial questions to ask when renting an apartment out of the way as soon as possible. When you first start taking tours, it’s best to start asking questions right away.

Finding a place to live isn’t difficult, but finding a place you love and that checks all of your boxes is a different story.

As a prospective renter, ask these questions during your apartment search to ensure you have everything covered. If you’re still looking for a place to live, start your search with our quiz above!