Glossary of Terms
Here are some of the terms you may encounter in connection with the purchase of apartments or properties in Germany.
| A | |
| Abnahme | Transfer of ownership date |
| Abstellraum | Storage room |
| Auflassungsvormerkung | Provisional registration |
| Anhang | Attachment |
| Anschluß | Connection |
| Aufteilung | Division |
| Ausgestattet (mit) | Featuring |
| B | |
| Badewanne | Bathtub |
| Balkon | Balcony |
| Baujahr | Year of Construction |
| Besichtigungstermin | Viewing agreement |
| Betriebskosten | Running costs |
| Baubeschreibung | Construction specifications |
| Bezirk | Area |
| Bezugsfrei | Vacant |
| Bezugstermin | Availability date |
| C | |
| Courtage | Commission |
| D | |
| Dachgeschoss | Attic |
| Denkmalschutz | Listed property |
| Dielenfußboden | Wooden floors |
| E | |
| EBK (EinBauKüche) | Built-in kitchen |
| Eigentümer | Owner |
| Eigentümergemeinschaft | Owner’s association |
| Erdgeschoss (EG) | Ground floor |
| Erstbezug | First occupancy after rennovation/construction |
| Erste (1.) Obergeschoss (OG) | First floor (above the ground floor) |
| Exposé | Brochure |
| F | |
| Fahrstuhl | Elevator |
| Faktor | Target return. Calculated as the purchase price divided by annual rent |
| Finanzamt | Tax authority |
| Flur | Entry |
| Fußboden | Floor |
| G | |
| Gallerie(-raum) | Landing (Large) |
| Geräumig | Roomie |
| Gespachelt | Spackled (i.e. walls) |
| Gestrichen | Painted |
| Gewerbe | Office/Business |
| Gewerbeeinheit | Office space |
| Grundbuch | Land registry |
| Grunderwerbsteuer | Property Acquisition Tax |
| Gut geschnittene | Well-designed |
| H | |
| Hausgeld | Common expenses |
| Hauswirtschaftsraum | Utility Room |
| Heizungsart | How flat is heated |
| Hell | Light |
| Hof | Yard / Courtyard |
| I | |
| Immobilie | Real Estate |
| Immobilienmakler | Estate Agent |
| Instandhaltungsrücklage | Maintenance Reserve |
| Isolierglasfenster | Thermal windows |
| J | |
| Jahresnettomiete IST | Net rent income |
| K | |
| Kaufvertragentwurf | Draft sales contract |
| Käuferprovision | Fee paid by buyer |
| Kiez (–lage) | Charming neighborhood (cafés, boutiques, etc.) |
| L | |
| Loggia/Balkon | Balcony |
| M | |
| Makler | Estate Agent |
| Maisonettewohnung | Duplex apartment |
| Mehrfamilienhaus | Apartment building |
| Mieteinnahme SOLL | Rental income at 100% occupancy, or there is an expectations of increased rental rates to this level. |
| Mieter | Renter |
| N | |
| Notaranderkonto | Notary’s client account |
| Notartermin | Notary meeting |
| Nebenkosten | Extra costs |
| O | |
| Obergeschoss (OG) | Floor |
| Oberlicht | Skylight |
| Objekt | Item (typically a flat or building) |
| Objektart | Type of property |
| Objektmakler | Seller’s Agent (contact person) |
| Ort | Location |
| P | |
| Protokoll | Minutes (from home owner’s association meetings) |
| Parkettfußboden | Parquet floor |
| Q | |
| Quergebaüde (QG) | Back house (accessed through the courtyard, not directly from the street) |
| R | |
| Rendite | Return (annual rent divided by price) |
| Renovierungsbedürftig | Needs renovation |
| S | |
| Schalldämmung | Soundproofing |
| Seitenflügel (SFL) | Wing |
| Stellplatz | Parking space |
| T | |
| Teilungserklärung | Declaration of division |
| Tiefgarage | Parking garage |
| Trittschallisoliert | Soundproofed |
| U | |
| U-Bahn | Metro / Subway |
| Übergabe | Handover |
| Unvermietet | Not rented |
| V | |
| Vereinbarung | Agreement |
| Verfügen über | Has at ones disposal |
| Verkaufsmakler | Buyer’s Agent (contact person) |
| Verkehrsanbindung | Transport (public) |
| Vermieter | Renter |
| Vermietet | Rented |
| Vertrag | Contract |
| Verwalter | (Property) administrator |
| Verwendungszweck | Reference (on invoice) |
| Vorderhaus (VH) | Front house (access from the street) |
| W | |
| Wärmedämmung | Insulation |
| Wirtschaftsplan | Budget |
| Wohneinheit (WE) | Residential Unit |
| Wohngeld | Common expenses |
| Wohngeld (warm) | Common expenses including heat |
| Wohnküche | Open kitchen / family room |
| X | |
| Y | |
| Z | |
| Zugeordnet | Assigned |
| Zugang | Access |
Are you missing a word or have you found an error? Do not hesitate to contact us.
