Glossary for Tenants

Requests (Anfrage)

If you like an apartment or several apartments, there are a number of ways to contact us. Either click on the “request” button or send us an e-mail to welcom@vision-home.de. We will also be pleased to accept your request by phone at + 49 (0) 30 67 955 955.

Contact Person (Ansprechpartner)

In principle, our team of VillaroHome living will be at your side throughout the entire rental period. In the case of special questions about the apartment, the house or payments, we ask you to contact the landlord. The contact details of your landlord can be found in your rental agreement. Also in case of an emergency, you should always contact your landlord, as VillaroHome living can only help you during business hours.

Terms and Conditions (AGB)

The general terms and conditions (GTC) are contractual clauses, which serve to standardize and cement the contractual conditions. You can access them at any time in the tenant area or click here.

Showing or Visit (Besichtigung)

After you have short-listed some of the furnished apartments, you will be able to arrange personal viewing dates with our team. There you can determine which of the apartments best suits you and clarify any outstanding questions.

Temporary Lease (Befristeter Mietvertrag)

All rental contracts from VillaroHome living are temporary. This means that the contract has a fixed end date. An extension of the contract is usually possible and can be included in the rental agreement.

Residents Parking Sticker (Bewohnerparkausweis)

In some residential areas in Berlin street parking must be paid for. In such cases, you will need a resident’s parking sticker, which you can apply for as a tenant in the residential area. For more information see service.berlin.de. If you have any questions about this, our team will be happy to assist you.

Mail Box (Briefkasten)

In general, each rental property has a mail box that you can use during your rental period to receive your mail.

Final Cleaning (Endreinigung)

At the end of the rental period, tenants are obliged to have their apartment cleaned. It is initiated by VillaroHome living or the owner. The cost of cleaning is borne by the tenant. How long it takes and how difficult it is for the cleaning crew is dependent on how the rental property was left.

Basic Equipment (Grundausstattung)

Each furnished apartment has the following basic equipment: bed linens, towels, iron, ironing board, vacuum cleaner, cleaning utensils, refrigerator, stove, washing machine.

Dishwasher (Geschirrspüler)

A dishwasher is located in a furnished apartment only if it is explicitly listed in the exposé.

House Rules (Hausordnung)

The house rules apply to all parties living in the house. As a rule, this is an addendum to the rental contract and usually hangs somewhere in the house.

Pets (Haustiere)

In general, pets are not welcome in furnished apartments. However, some landlords are willing to talk about this on a case-by-case basis. Please let us know what kind of pet and breed you would like to bring with you during your time in Berlin. You can also send us a photo of your pet so that we can send to your potential landlord.

Internet

As a rule, the furnished apartments are equipped with an Internet connection and the costs are included in the rental price. If there is no Internet available, we are happy to help you install an Internet connection.

Deposit (Kaution)

Each tenant is obligated to pay a rental deposit. Usually, this is equivalent to two months rent. The deposit serves as security for the landlord and is only used to pay for possible damages or necessary additional expenses. If you leave the property in excellent condition, the deposit will be refunded as quickly as possible after you vacate the premises.

Basement (or Cellar) (Keller)

Generally, furnished apartments do not include a storage room in the basement. If, however, you need additional space to store your belongings, please contact our team.

Rental Period (Mietdauer)

In the case of temporary rentals, the length of the rental obviously will vary. One’s contract must be a minimum of three months. Though rental contracts for furnished apartments are generally limited, theoretically a temporary rental agreement could continue on for longer periods of time, even years.

Rental Agreement (Mietvertrag)

After you have chosen your dream apartment, VillaroHome living will draw up a legal lease. This is first signed by the tenant and then by the landlord. This is normally sent digitally.

Ancillary (or Additional Costs/Utilities) (Nebenkosten)

All ancillary costs (electricity, water, heating and the like) are included as reflected in the rental agreement. If there are any other additional costs, these are listed in the exposé.

Parking Space (Parkplatz)

If the apartment has either an underground parking space or another parking space, it is listed separately in the exposé. If there are additional costs for this, this would also be shown.

Flat rate Rental (Pauschalmiete)

All normal ancillary and utility costs for normal use are included in a flat rate rental. If the tenant uses more than the predetermined expected amount, the tenant must reimburse the landlord for the difference.

Duties of the Tenant (Pflichten des Mieters)

As a tenant you are obligated to report directly to the landlord any possible damages in and on the rented object.

Commission (Provision)

Normally, the tenant pays no commission. However, should we find an apartment for you that was not previously listed in our portfolio, a referral fee will be charged. (This is unavoidable as it is set by the rules for real estate agents.) If this is the case, we will point it out.

Renovation (Renovierung)

When renting a furnished apartment, the tenants are not obliged to carry out any renovation work after they vacate the premises. However, the furnished apartment must be left in the same condition as it was rented. A certain amount of wear and tear is tolerated, of course, for longer rentals. In case of damage or signs of excessive use, the owner has the right to charge the tenant for the costs of the repair.

Radio and Television Fees (Rundfunkgebühren)

If not expressly agreed otherwise in the rental agreement, you are responsible as a tenant for the registration and payment of the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio public media fee (previously GEZ). For more information please visit the website www.rundfunkbeitrag.de

Damages (Schäden)

Should there be any damage, the tenant is obliged to report this immediately to the owner as well as to the VillaroHome living team. Depending on the damage, this is usually covered by your insurance company. Therefore, every tenant is also obligated to have liability insurance.

Key Handover (Schlüsselübergabe)

The transfer of keys is generally carried out when the rental property is turned over. This can only take place if both the first rent and the deposit have been received in the account of the landlord. The number of keys is recorded in the handover protocol or in a key log. VillaroHome living will coordinate the handover date with you.

Electricity Costs (Stromkosten)

Electricity costs are included in the rental agreement up to a specific amount that is explicitly indicated in the contract. If, for example, the tenant has higher electricity use by using an air conditioner, the tenant must pay the additional costs to the landlord or they will be deducted from the deposit.

Handover Protocol (Übergabeprotokoll)

The handover protocol is always part of the handover process of the rental property. Things such as the meter readings, possible defects and/or issues, and the number of keys given are recorded in all copies. In most cases, corresponding photos are also added as an attachment. The handover protocol is signed by both parties – the landlord and the tenant – and forms the basis for dealing with any issues or damages after the tenant has moved out.

Extension Option (Verlängerungsoption)

Should you perhaps be unsure how long you will remain in your apartment, an extension option for the rental term can be included in the rental agreement upon request.

Insurance (Versicherung)

With the signing of the rental agreement, a tenant is obligated to get liability insurance. The insurance must also cover damage to rented items. Therefore, you will be protected in the event of an accident. We are happy to advise you and help you acquire insurance. Contact us here.

Washing Machine (Waschmaschine)

Generally, each furnished apartment comes with a washing machine. This will be explicitly listed in the exposés of the apartments. If a washing machine is not listed, none is available.

Water Costs (Wasserkosten)

A rental includes the cost of the monthly water consumption. The basis for these costs is an average value based on the size of the apartment. Should the tenant’s consumption exceed this average value, the tenant must reimburse the landlord for the difference in costs.

Confirmation of the Landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)

Since November 1, 2015, the new Federal Reporting Act (Bundesmeldegesetz – BMG) has been in place. One of the main points of this law is the introduction of the Confirmation of the Landlord. This confirmation is mandatory, and the landlord is required by law (§ 19 Bundesmeldegesetz – BMG) to provide it to the renter, who in turn is required within a period of two weeks after moving in to present it to the appropriate government office for registration. This confirmation can either be issued by the apartment owner himself, or by his/her building management company. It can also be issued by the official tenant if the apartment is sublet to someone else by him or her. Our team is happy to prepare this confirmation for the tenant, which you would then only have to sign.

Apartment Handover (Wohnungsübergabe)

The handover of the apartment is carried out either on the day of moving in or shortly beforehand, with the tenant, landlord or VillaroHome living present. On the day of the handover, a handover protocol is created and the keys are also handed over. The appointment is coordinated by VillaroHome living. When you would like to arrange the appointment for your apartment handover, please send us an email at welcome@villarohome.com or call us at + 49 (0) 30 67 955 955.