„Kaltmiete“ and „Warmmiete“
The monthly rent for an apartment is divided into “Kaltmiete” and “Warmmiete”. Kaltmiete is actually the basic rent. The costs for waste collection, gas, heating and other amenities in the house (utility costs) are called “Nebenkosten” and will be added to the “Kaltmiete”. The total rent is always the “Warmmiete” (=rent for the apartment and the utility costs). Usually still not all utilities are included in the “Warmmiete”. It is rather usual for electricity costs in Germany not to be included in “Warmmiete”. That means you will have to set up an individual account with your German utilities provider.

Security Deposit
Most landlords will require a security deposit. This deposit is usually three times your monthly basic rent. The deposit has to be paid when moving in, and is returned when moving out of the apartment (subject to the condition of the apartment). Never pay a deposit without a written contract for the apartment!

House rules in Germany
Usually house rules are part of your rental contract. However, please find some general matters concerning living in German rented apartments here:

- Avoid loud noises, especially between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Mo – Sat) and all day on Sunday.
- Wash and dry laundry only in areas provided by the landlord.
- Leave cars, bicycles, etc., only in areas provided by the landlord.
- Install television or radio antennas only with the permission of the landlord.
- Inform the landlord immediately in case of any damages.
- Obtain the landlord's written permission if you wish to keep a pet.
- It is not allowed to grill, barbecue or make an open fire on a balcony.
- Keep your apartment clean and dry, so that no damage occurs.
- Ask your landlord in case you would like to sublet your apartment or if you would like to rent a room in your apartment to another person (it is usually not allowed but sometimes you can make an agreement with your landlord).
- Make use of the garbage cans you usually find in an area provided by the landlord. In Hamburg, using the blue recovered paper bin, the yellow recyclable material bin and the bottle banks is free of charge. Fees have to be paid for the collection of the black non-recyclable refuse bin and the green organic waste bin only. Usually, if you are tenant of an apartment or house, waste disposal fees are already included in the total rent.

GEZ / fee for the German public broadcasting institutions called "Rundfunkbeitrag"
When you register in Hamburg, you will receive a letter from "Beitragsservice von ARD, ZDF und Deutschlandradio" (formerly GEZ). Nearly everyone living in Germany is required to pay a fee to the public broadcasting institutions called "Rundfunkbeitrag". The fee is collected by the GEZ. Please find more information about the fee here as well as here.

Handing over an apartment 

Find information here on how you should hand over the apartment/room when you leave.

Cancelation
Please find here a typical German cancelation letter and its English translation.