Mitschrift

Apartment Leasing

What types of rent are there in Vienna? What does a lease agreement regulate? And when do deposit and transfer fees apply? In this StartWien video, we will take a closer look at what you should pay attention to when renting in Vienna.

Main Rent and Sublease

There are two types of rent:

1. Main Rent (Hauptmiete): This means you have a lease agreement directly with the owner of the apartment.

2. Sublease (Untermiete): Here, you have a lease agreement with the main tenant.

As the main tenant, you have the exclusive right to use the apartment. If it is not explicitly forbidden in the lease agreement, you are allowed to sublet the apartment. If in doubt, always ask your landlord. However, as a subtenant, you are less well protected by the Tenancy Act.

The Rental Agreement

In principle, a rental agreement regulates several important aspects:

The description of the rental object

Whether the rental period is limited or unlimited

The amount of gross rent and the security deposit

In the video “Apartment Search,” we met the Sánchez family, who found a suitable apartment. Their new apartment's rental lease agreement is for five years with an option to extend. When signing the rental lease agreement, Ms. Sanchez presented her proof of income and read the lease carefully.

The rental lease agreement includes important details such as:

Address, apartment size, and number of rooms

The start and end dates of the tenancy

The duration of the lease and any time limits

Notice periods

Monthly rental costs

The amount and method of payment of the security deposit

My Tip: A rental agreement is legally binding. Therefore, check the contents carefully and record any additional agreements in writing.

Lease Agreement Duration and Term

Whether the apartment is temporary or permanent can significantly impact the rental price, with temporary apartments usually being cheaper. The minimum term for a lease is three years.

After the expiration of this term, the landlord may choose to terminate or extend the lease. In most cases, fixed-term lease agreements can be extended as often as desired. As a tenant, you have the option to terminate the lease agreement after one year.

My Tip: If you have any questions or would like to have your rental lease agreement checked, contact Mieterhilfe Wien.

Deposit and Transfer Fee

By signing the rental lease agreement, you may incur additional costs such as a security deposit and transfer fees.

The Deposit is usually equivalent to three months' rent and must be contractually agreed upon. If you take good care of the apartment and pay the monthly rent, you will receive the deposit back at the end of the rental lease agreement.

You also agree to a **Transfer Fee** with the previous tenant for structural investments, such as new windows or heating systems, or for furniture, such as kitchens or complete furnishings. The transfer fee is a matter of negotiation.

For guidance on the amount of the transfer fee, you can use the transfer fee calculator provided by the City of Vienna. Additionally, there is a rent calculator that can help you estimate rental costs.

My Tip: Take into account the total costs involved in signing a rental lease agreement. Note that the drafting of the lease agreement itself is typically free of charge.

Housing Assistance

The City of Vienna provides assistance to individuals with low incomes to help finance their housing costs. If you have your main residence in Vienna, you can apply for housing assistance. There is also financial support available for the repayment of subsidized loans and for apartments in residential establishments, such as dormitories.

To find out if you meet the necessary requirements, you can use the housing assistance checker available online through the City of Vienna.