Cold rent & warm rent: the difference simply explained
If you are looking for a new home, you have probably stumbled across the terms cold rent and warm rent. In this practical tip, we will explain what the difference between these two costs is.
Cold rent and warm rent - what is what?
Especially people who are moving for the first time often ask what exactly is the difference between cold and warm rent and what amount you ultimately have to pay monthly. We explain it to you:
- The basic rent refers to the price that tenants only pay to the landlord for the use of the living space.
- The landlord calculates this at the local rent index, which indicates the price per square meter of the apartment. The German average price here is 8.54 euros. In big cities like Hamburg or Berlin it can be up to 14 euros.
- Only the basic rent is not the total price of the apartment. The difference to warm rent is the additional costs .
- In addition to electricity, gas and water costs, these also include operating costs of the house, e.g. a caretaker, garbage disposal costs or the cleaning service for the stairwell.
- It cannot be said generally what percentage of the basic rent has to be added to the total rent as additional costs. This depends on the location of the building, the year of the house and, of course, its use of electricity and water.
- According to the German Tenants' Association, an average of about EUR 2.19 per square meter is normal.
- For the warm rent you add the cold rent plus additional costs. The rent is the true monthly amount that you have to pay for your apartment.
- Also note other costs that are not just rent, but monthly payments include internet costs, radio or insurance.
In another practical tip we will show you what you can do if you think that your rent is too high.