Rent

In the German housing market, rent is comprised of 2 parts: the “cold” rent and the “warm” rent. Cold rent is the basic price for renting a flat, while warm rent includes additional costs such as heating.

Cold rent

The “cold rent” is the basic price for renting a flat. This amount only covers the actual use of the flat. It includes things like:

• the rent for the room itself
• caretaker services, if applicable
• cleaning of shared areas 

The warm rent is added to the cold rent, and the total then represents the actual monthly charges for the flat.

Warm rent

The “warm rent” is paid on top of the cold rent and includes things such as:

• heating
• water
• other ancillary costs, e.g. refuse collection

Service charges vary depending on the building and the location. Warm rent therefore includes both the basic rent and some ongoing operating costs.

Warm rent often represents a more accurate estimate of actual monthly outgoings, because it includes more costs.