German for Renters: Asking 'Are utilities included?' and Understanding Extra Costs
Learn to ask in German whether utilities are included in the rent, name common extra costs (Nebenkosten), and understand a landlord's answer at elementary level.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you rent a flat in Germany, the advertised rent is often not the full amount you pay. Many listings show a Kaltmiete (cold rent) plus Nebenkosten (additional costs) for heating, water, rubbish collection and building upkeep. To avoid surprises, you need to ask one key question: Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten? In this lesson you will learn that question, the words for the main extra costs, and how to understand a simple answer from a landlord or agent.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether utilities are included in the rent.
- name common extra costs such as heating, water and rubbish collection.
- understand a short answer about what the rent includes and what it does not.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten?
Are the additional costs included in the rent?
zint dee NAY-ben-kos-ten in dair MEE-tuh ent-HAL-ten
The standard, neutral way to ask. Use it with a landlord, agent or in an email. Nebenkosten is the usual German term for utilities and service charges.
Was ist in der Miete enthalten?
What is included in the rent?
vas ist in dair MEE-tuh ent-HAL-ten
A broader question when you want a list rather than a yes/no answer. Works in both formal and informal situations.
Ist die Heizung in der Miete enthalten?
Is heating included in the rent?
ist dee HY-tsung in dair MEE-tuh ent-HAL-ten
Heating is the largest single extra cost in most German flats, so it is worth asking about separately.
Wie hoch sind die Nebenkosten?
How high are the additional costs?
vee hoh zint dee NAY-ben-kos-ten
Use this to ask for the monthly amount. The answer is often given as a monthly prepayment, for example '150 Euro pro Monat'.
Ist das die Warmmiete oder die Kaltmiete?
Is that the warm rent or the cold rent?
ist das dee VARM-mee-tuh OH-der dee KALT-mee-tuh
Kaltmiete is the rent without utilities; Warmmiete includes the Nebenkosten prepayment. Advertised prices are often Kaltmiete, so this question prevents confusion.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask whether something is included, use: Ist ... in der Miete enthalten? or Sind ... in der Miete enthalten? Use Ist with a singular item, for example 'Ist die Heizung in der Miete enthalten?' (Is heating included?). Use Sind with a plural item, for example 'Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten?' (Are the additional costs included?). You can also replace the item: 'Ist Wasser in der Miete enthalten?' or 'Sind Strom und Internet in der Miete enthalten?' Note that Strom (electricity) is often not included and is paid directly to a power company.
When to use it
Use these questions before you sign a contract, when you view a flat, or when you reply to an online listing. In a viewing, a simple 'Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten?' is polite and direct. In an email, you can write: 'Guten Tag, sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten? Wie hoch sind die Nebenkosten?' If the answer is 'Die Nebenkosten sind nicht enthalten', ask 'Wie hoch sind sie dann?' to get the monthly figure. Remember that Warmmiete usually means Kaltmiete plus a Nebenkosten prepayment, not a fixed final amount.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich interessiere mich für die Wohnung. Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten?
Hello, I am interested in the flat. Are the additional costs included in the rent?GOO-ten tahk, ikh in-te-re-SEE-re mikh fewr dee VOH-nung. zint dee NAY-ben-kos-ten in dair MEE-tuh ent-HAL-tenNein, die Nebenkosten sind nicht enthalten. Die Miete ist eine Kaltmiete.
No, the additional costs are not included. The rent is a cold rent.nine, dee NAY-ben-kos-ten zint nikht ent-HAL-ten. dee MEE-tuh ist EYE-nuh KALT-mee-tuhVerstehe. Wie hoch sind die Nebenkosten pro Monat?
I see. How high are the additional costs per month?fer-SHTAY-uh. vee hoh zint dee NAY-ben-kos-ten pro MOH-nahtDie Nebenkosten sind 150 Euro pro Monat. Strom ist nicht enthalten.
The additional costs are 150 euros per month. Electricity is not included.dee NAY-ben-kos-ten zint HOON-dert-fuenf-tsikh OY-roh pro MOH-naht. shtrohm ist nikht ent-HAL-tenA little context goes a long way
In Germany, rent is commonly split into Kaltmiete and Warmmiete. Kaltmiete is the basic rent for the flat; Warmmiete adds a monthly prepayment for Nebenkosten such as heating, water and building services. At the end of the year the landlord sends a Nebenkostenabrechnung, an annual statement that compares the prepayments with the actual costs, which can lead to a small refund or an extra payment. In Austria and Switzerland, the terms and rules differ, so ask locally what is included.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Rechnungen' or 'Utilities' when asking about included costs.
Try this instead: In German rental contexts, use Nebenkosten for the additional monthly costs. For example, say 'Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten?' rather than a literal translation of 'Are utilities included?'. If you mean electricity specifically, name it: 'Ist Strom in der Miete enthalten?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Are the additional costs included in the rent?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten?
This uses the plural Sind because Nebenkosten is plural, and the fixed phrase in der Miete enthalten. You could also ask 'Sind die Nebenkosten inklusive?' in casual speech.
2A landlord says 'Die Miete ist eine Kaltmiete.' What does this mean for your monthly payment?
Show a sample answer
It means the advertised rent does not include the Nebenkosten, so you will pay extra for heating, water and other services.
Kaltmiete is the rent without the utilities prepayment. The full monthly amount is usually the Warmmiete, which includes a Nebenkosten prepayment.
3Ask specifically whether heating is included.
Show a sample answer
Ist die Heizung in der Miete enthalten?
Use Ist because Heizung is singular. You can also ask 'Sind die Heizkosten in der Miete enthalten?' using the plural Heizkosten, which is also correct.
Ask 'Sind die Nebenkosten in der Miete enthalten?' before you agree to rent, and always clarify whether the price is Kaltmiete or Warmmiete.
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