A German rental contract (Mietvertrag) is long and mostly standard wording. A handful of clauses decide what you pay and how easily you can leave. Read those carefully, and ask about anything you don't understand before you sign.
The clauses to read twice
| Clause | What's normal |
|---|---|
| Kaution (deposit) | At most three months' cold rent. You may pay it in three monthly instalments, the first at the start of the tenancy (§ 551 BGB). The landlord must keep it separate from their own money. |
| Nebenkosten (running costs) | A monthly advance, settled against actual costs once a year. The landlord has 12 months after the billing period ends to send the statement (§ 556 BGB). |
| Kündigungsfrist (notice period) | For you as the tenant, three months (§ 573c BGB). Some contracts exclude notice for up to four years; read that clause if you might leave early. |
| Staffelmiete / Indexmiete | A rent that rises by fixed steps on set dates, or with inflation. Both are legal; check the dates and amounts. |
| Befristung (fixed term) | Fixed-term contracts are only valid with a stated reason, such as the owner moving back in. Without one, the contract usually runs indefinitely. |
| Schönheitsreparaturen (decorating) | Clauses making you repaint on a fixed schedule are often invalid. Clauses that ask for normal care are fine. |
At move-in
- Walk through the flat with the landlord and sign a handover report (Übergabeprotokoll) listing existing damage.
- Photograph every room, and the meter readings for electricity, gas and water.
- Ask for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung so you can register. See How Anmeldung works.
- Put your name on the letterbox.
The contract checker highlights unusual clauses and explains them in plain English. It doesn't replace legal advice. Tenants' associations (Mietervereine) review contracts for members for a yearly fee.
Find a local tenants' association
Mietervereine give members legal advice on contracts, rent increases and deposits.
Go to Deutscher MieterbundCommon questions
My contract is only in German. Can I ask for a translation?
You can ask, but the landlord doesn't have to provide one. The German version is the one that counts. Upload it to the contract checker for a plain-English summary.
The Nebenkosten statement asks me to pay a lot extra. What can I do?
Check it line by line against your contract; you have 12 months to object. HomeSettled's Nebenkosten check compares the statement with your contract.
Sources
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you rely on a figure.