Learn German with Podcasts | Finding accommodation in Germany (Intermediate)

Vocabulary List

This episode focuses on the "Hurdle Race" of the German rental market, providing practical terms for every step of the search:

• Der unbefristete Mietvertrag: Open-ended rental contract. This is the standard in Germany and has no fixed end date.
• Der Eigenbedarf: Personal need. A legal reason a landlord can use to terminate a lease because they or their family need to live in the flat.
• Unmöbliert: Unfurnished. In Germany, this often means a completely empty space without a kitchen, stove, or even light bulbs.
• Die Wohngemeinschaft (WG): Shared apartment. A popular and affordable option where you rent one room and share common areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
• Die Kaltmiete vs. die Warmmiete: Cold rent vs. warm rent. Cold rent is the base price for the rooms; warm rent includes Nebenkosten (utilities like heating and water).
• Die Nebenkostenabrechnung: Utility statement. An annual breakdown showing if you paid too much or too little in your monthly utility prepayments.
• Der Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS): Subsidised housing permit. A document for people with lower incomes that allows them to apply for significantly cheaper, state-subsidised flats.
• Die Schufa-Auskunft: Credit report. A record of your financial reliability; without a positive report, finding a flat is nearly impossible.
• Die Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung: Certificate of no rent arrears. A document from a previous landlord confirming you have no outstanding rent debts.
• Die Wohnungsgeberbestätigung: Landlord’s confirmation. A mandatory form from the landlord used to complete your official city registration (Anmeldung).
• Die Kaution: Security deposit. A safety payment (maximum of three months' cold rent) that must be kept in a separate account by the landlord.
• Das Übergabeprotokoll: Handover protocol. A document signed when moving in to record any existing damage (scratches, stains) to protect your deposit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YouTube Keywords
To help expats and German learners find this guide, use these keywords that reflect the specific advice given by Alex and Charlie:
• Channel & Format: Deutschpot, Alex und Charlie, Deutsch lernen, Learn German podcast, B1 German listening, Housing vocabulary German.
• Rental Market: Wohnungssuche Deutschland Tipps, How to find a flat in Germany, WG finden Tipps, WG-Gesucht, Immobilien Scout 24 Mieter Plus.
• Bureaucracy & Finance: Schufa Auskunft für Ausländer, Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung, Kaltmiete vs Warmmiete erklärt, Wohnberechtigungsschein WBS, Kaution zurückbekommen.
• Safety & Scams: Wohnungssuche Betrug erkennen, Scams apartment hunting Germany, Western Union Betrug, Mietvertrag unterschreiben Tipps.
• Relocation: Moving to Germany guide, Anmeldung Deutschland, Bürgeramt registration, Möblierte Wohnung für den Übergang.