TLDR Berlin Signpost

What does "Kaltmiete" mean in English?

Last updated on 9 April 2024

Kaltmiete, literally translating to “cold rent” in English, is a term commonly used in the German real estate market.

What is “Kaltmiete”?

Kaltmiete refers to the portion of rent that covers the cost of renting a property without including any utility or service charges, such as heating, water, or garbage disposal. This concept is particularly relevant in Germany, where rental agreements often distinguish between Kaltmiete and Warmmiete (warm rent), the latter including utility costs. Kaltmiete thus represents the base rent for the physical space itself.

More information about “Kaltmiete”

In addition to the basic rent, tenants usually pay Nebenkosten (additional costs) alongside Kaltmiete, which covers utilities and services. The distinction between Kaltmiete and Warmmiete allows for transparency in rental agreements, helping tenants understand their financial obligations. The calculation of Kaltmiete is typically based on the property’s size in square meters and the local rental market, often guided by the Mietspiegel (rent index) of the area.

Here are some additional terms that are related to Kaltmiete:

  • Warmmiete: The total monthly rent including Kaltmiete and Nebenkosten.
  • Nebenkosten: Additional costs paid alongside Kaltmiete, covering utilities and building services.
  • Mietspiegel: A rent index that provides an overview of typical rents within a specific area, used to determine fair Kaltmiete rates.
  • Mietvertrag: The rental agreement that specifies the terms of the tenancy, including the Kaltmiete amount.

Understanding Kaltmiete is crucial for anyone looking to rent in Germany, as it forms the basis of the rental agreement and influences the overall affordability of a property.

Sources

[1] https://www.immorecht-24.de/pachtrecht-mietrecht/kaltmiete/ [2] https://ratgeber.immowelt.de/a/kaltmiete.html [3] https://objego.de/blog/warmmiete-und-kaltmiete-unterschiede/ [4] https://www.wohnnet.at/finanzieren/investment/kaltmiete-warmmiete-8383484 [5] https://immobilien.vr.de/immobilien/immobilie-mieten/wohnung-mieten/kaltmiete.html [6] https://www.linguee.com/german-english/translation/kaltmiete.html [7] https://relocation-agent.com/calculation-of-housing-costs/ [8] https://www.m2square.eu/en/buy-apartment-in-berlin-services/definition-of-terms-used/ [9] https://www.juraforum.de/lexikon/miete-kaltmiete-bruttomiete [10] https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/rent-in-germany/ [11] https://www.ihr-maklervergleich.de/mieter/was-ist-eine-kaltmiete [12] https://exporo.de/wiki/kaltmiete [13] https://germantaxes.de/tax-tips/rental-income/ [14] https://kummuni.com/flats-for-rent-in-berlin/ [15] https://housinganywhere.com/Germany/warm-rent-in-germany [16] https://zendepot.de/immobilien-kaufen-und-vermieten-lohnt-sich-das/ [17] https://www.immobilienscout24.de/wissen/vermieten/mietpreis-berechnen.html [18] https://www.ostrom.de/post/beginners-guide-to-the-german-electricity-market [19] https://howtogermany.com/household/utilities/setting-up-a-household/ [20] https://perfinex.de/real-estate-in-germany/buying-a-rental-property-in-germany/