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Apartment viewing prep

German phrases for an apartment viewing

A practical sheet for Wohnungsbesichtigungen: arriving confidently, asking about rent and utilities, and closing with the right paperwork question.

Content verified July 2026

By HalloKit Editorial Team · Published · Updated

Interactive practice

Rehearse this conversation with choices, feedback, and grammar notes — not just the phrase sheet.

Preview scenario

Bring

  • Ausweis or passport
  • Schufa report, if you already have one
  • Proof of income or employment contract
  • Application form, if the landlord sent one ahead

Expect

  • Sind Sie zur Besichtigung hier?
  • Ist die Wohnung möbliert oder unmöbliert?
  • Wie hoch ist die Warmmiete?
  • Wann könnten Sie einziehen?
  • Haben Sie Ihre Unterlagen dabei?
Useful phrases

Sound prepared without sounding rehearsed

Landlords notice when you ask about rent structure and paperwork calmly instead of guessing.

Conversation map

Follow the real sequence, then play each line before saying it yourself.

  1. 01

    Arrive

    Guten Tag, ja. Ich bin zur Besichtigung hier.

  2. 02

    Check the costs

    Wie hoch sind die Kaltmiete und die Warmmiete?

  3. 03

    Inspect the apartment

    Könnte ich bitte den Energieausweis sehen?

  4. 04

    Apply

    Welche Unterlagen benötigen Sie für die Bewerbung?

Arrive

  • Guten Tag, ja. Ich bin zur Besichtigung hier.

    Good day, yes. I am here for the viewing.

  • Vielen Dank, dass ich mir die Wohnung ansehen darf.

    Thank you for letting me view the apartment.

Check the costs

  • Wie hoch sind die Kaltmiete und die Warmmiete?

    How much are the basic rent and the total rent?

  • Sind die Nebenkosten in der Warmmiete enthalten?

    Are the utility costs included in the warm rent?

  • Sind Strom und Internet separat zu bezahlen?

    Do electricity and internet need to be paid separately?

Inspect the apartment

  • Könnte ich bitte den Energieausweis sehen?

    Could I please see the energy performance certificate?

  • Werden die Fenster vor dem Einzug repariert?

    Will the windows be repaired before move-in?

  • Gehören die Küche und der Keller zur Wohnung?

    Are the kitchen and cellar included with the apartment?

Apply

  • Welche Unterlagen benötigen Sie für die Bewerbung?

    Which documents do you need for the application?

  • Ab wann ist die Wohnung verfügbar?

    From when is the apartment available?

  • Was sind die nächsten Schritte?

    What are the next steps?

  • Bekomme ich beim Einzug eine Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

    Will I receive a housing-provider confirmation when I move in?

Rescue phrases
  • Welche Unterlagen benötigen Sie für die Bewerbung?
  • Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
  • Meinen Sie die Warmmiete oder die Kaltmiete?
Preview scenario
Complete dialogue

Hear the full conversation before you rehearse it

Read both sides once, then cover the English and say your lines aloud. The real appointment may use different wording, but the sequence is predictable.

  1. 01

    Landlord

    Guten Tag. Sind Sie zur Besichtigung hier?

    Good day. Are you here for the viewing?

  2. 02

    You

    Guten Tag, ja. Vielen Dank, dass ich mir die Wohnung ansehen darf.

    Good day, yes. Thank you for letting me view the apartment.

  3. 03

    Landlord

    Die Wohnung hat zwei Zimmer und ist ab dem ersten September frei.

    The apartment has two rooms and is available from September 1.

  4. 04

    You

    Wie hoch sind die Kaltmiete und die Warmmiete?

    How much are the basic rent and the total rent?

  5. 05

    Landlord

    Die Kaltmiete beträgt 850 Euro, die Warmmiete 1.050 Euro.

    The basic rent is 850 euros and the total rent is 1,050 euros.

  6. 06

    You

    Sind Strom und Internet separat zu bezahlen?

    Do electricity and internet need to be paid separately?

  7. 07

    Landlord

    Ja, dafür brauchen Sie eigene Verträge.

    Yes, you need your own contracts for those.

  8. 08

    You

    Welche Unterlagen benötigen Sie für die Bewerbung?

    Which documents do you need for the application?

  9. 09

    Landlord

    Bitte schicken Sie mir Einkommensnachweise und eine Kopie Ihres Ausweises.

    Please send me proof of income and a copy of your ID.

  10. 10

    You

    Vielen Dank. Was sind die nächsten Schritte?

    Thank you. What are the next steps?

Useful vocabulary

Words you are likely to hear

Learn the noun with its article and notice the short grammar pattern attached to it.

die Besichtigung
viewing
Use zur Besichtigung when explaining why you are at the property.
die Kaltmiete
basic rent
The rent before operating and ancillary costs are added.
die Warmmiete
total rent
Ask exactly which costs are included instead of assuming it covers every utility.
die Nebenkosten
ancillary or operating costs
These may include heating and building costs; the listing or contract should specify the details.
der Energieausweis
energy performance certificate
It gives information about the building's energy efficiency.
die Bewerbungsmappe
application folder
A collection of the documents requested for the rental application.
der Einkommensnachweis
proof of income
Landlords commonly request recent payslips or another suitable document.
die Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
housing-provider confirmation
You normally need this document to register your address after moving in.
Common mistakes

Small fixes that make the conversation clearer

  • Treating Warmmiete as every bill

    Ask whether electricity, internet, heating, and hot water are included. Warmmiete does not automatically mean every household cost is covered.

  • Inspecting only the room layout

    Also ask about visible defects, windows, connections, repairs, and the Energieausweis while you are at the property.

  • Sending originals

    Ask which application documents are needed and provide appropriate copies rather than handing over original identity or employment documents.

Common questions

FAQ

Short answers for the questions people ask before this appointment.

What documents should I bring to a German apartment viewing?+

Bring ID, proof of income, Schufa if available, and any application form the landlord requested in advance.

How do I ask about rent and utilities in German?+

Ask Sind die Nebenkosten in der Warmmiete enthalten? to clarify whether utilities are included.

What German phrase should I use when I arrive?+

Say Guten Tag, ja. Ich bin zur Besichtigung hier.

How do I ask about next steps after the viewing?+

Use Was sind die nächsten Schritte? or Welche Unterlagen benötigen Sie für die Bewerbung?

Take it with you

Print or save the offline pocket card with the key lines for appointment day.

Open pocket card
Keep preparing

Related German practice

Move between the phrase guide, appointment checklist, and the conversations that usually come next.

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Sign your Mietvertrag with calm questions about rent, deposit, and notice period.

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German phrases for calling your landlord

Report a repair, agree on timing, and stay polite on the phone with your Vermieter.

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Related phrase guide

German phrases for neighbor small talk

Handle hallway chat with short, friendly German that sounds natural.

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Sources and references

Authoritative references used to verify the preparation details in this guide. Local requirements can still differ.