Understanding German Property Advertisements
During your search for accommodation, it is likely that you will read property advertisements, perhaps in newspapers. There are many abbreviations used in these advertisements, and they can be confusing for foreigners to read and understand. Here are a few typical notices:
"Meiersdorf-Innenstadt, Staudenstraße, 2. OG helle, freundliche 4 Zi. - Whg., 2 Bäder, 2 Balk., 100 m², WM 800 EUR, frei ab 01.01. Tel. ..."
"Dringend Nachmieter gesucht: 3 KDB, 50 qm, 1. OG, Küche eher klein, aber gut geschnitten, Wannebad und Balkon. Miete inkl. NK 300, zzgl. Heizung und Strom. Nähe Supermarkt, Bhf. und Bushaltestelle 3 min. Betastraße, Bellendorf. Tel. ..."
"Krasses WG-Zi. gesucht? 17 qm, 2er WG, NR, EBK, W-LAN, Garten, Waschmaschine vorhanden. 300 EUR all inkl. Uni um die Ecke! Tel. ...."
"Schöne, zentr. gelegene Whg., 3. OG, 90 qm, 4 ZKB, Gä.-WC, Balk. KM 613 EUR plus NK plus 3 MM KT. Ab sofort. Tel...."
The following list explains the typical abbreviations found in property notices:
- NK = Nebenkosten / Additional Costs
- EG = Erdgeschoss / Ground Floor
- OG = Obergeschoss / Upper Floor
- Zi. = Zimmer / Room
- Whg. = Wohnung / Apartment
- Balk. = Balkon / Balcony
- Tel. = Telefon(nummer) / Telephone Number
- KM = Kaltmiete / Basic Rent
- WM = Warmmiete / Rent inc. Heating Costs
- KDB = Küche Dusche Bad / Kitchen, Shower, Bathroom
- qm, m² = Quadratmeter / Square Metres
- inkl. = inklusive / Inclusive
- Zzgl. = zuzüglich / Additionally
- Bhf. = Bahnhof / Station
- NR = Nichtraucher / Non-Smoking
- WG = Wohngemeinschaft / Shared Apartment
- EBK = Einbauküche / Fitted Kitchen
- W-LAN = kabelloses Internet / Wireless Internet
- zentr. = zentral / Central
- ZKB = Zimmer Küche Bad / Room, Kitchen, Bathroom
- WC = Toilette / Toilet
- Gä.-WC = Gäste-Toilette / Guest Toilet
- MM = Monatsmiete / Monthly Rent
- KT = Kaution / Security Deposit
- GA = Genossenschaftsanteil(e) / Housing Association Fees
Using these abbreviations, we can translate the previous notices:
"Meiersdorf City Centre, Staudenstraße. Light, comfortable four room apartment on the 2nd floor; two bathrooms, two balconies, 100m². Rent including heating costs €800 available from 01.01. Tel..."
"Replacement tenant needed urgently: 3 room apartment including kitchen, shower and bathroom. 50m², 1st floor, kitchen somewhat small but user-friendly, bathtub and balcony. Rent including additional costs €300, heating and electricity extra. Near supermarket, 3 minutes from train station and bus stop. Betastraße, Bellendorf. Tel..."
"Looking for an amazing room? 17m², apartment for two people, non-smoking, fitted kitchen, wireless internet, garden, washing machine. €300 all inclusive. Round the corner from the uni! Tel..."
"Lovely, centrally located apartment. 90m² 4 room apartment on the 3rd floor, with kitchen and bathroom, guest toilet and balcony. Basic rent €613, additional costs extra, plus 3 months rent as security deposit. Available immediately. Tel..."
