> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mieter.immodio.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mieter.immodio.app/en/wissen/glossar-fur-mieter.md). # Glossary for tenants Find the key terms used in Immodio here. ### A #### Advance payment for operating costs The advance payment for operating costs is a monthly amount you pay in addition to the base rent. It is intended to cover the expected service charges and is reconciled annually in the operating cost statement. ### B #### Base rent Base rent, also called net base rent, is the rent for your home before operating costs. Operating costs are added to this amount to give the total rent. ### C #### Comparative rent Comparative rent is the average rent for similar homes in the same area. It forms the basis for setting rent in new tenancies or for rent increases. #### Confirmation of residence The confirmation of residence is an official document confirming that you have moved into your new home. You need it to register with the **residents' registration office** **within 14 days of moving in**. This is a legal requirement under Section 19 of the German Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz). The confirmation is issued by the landlord, property manager or estate agent. In **Immodio**, the confirmation of residence is available from the **tenancy start date**, directly under *Documents* in your tenancy. **Important:** you cannot register with the authorities without the confirmation of residence. #### Contents insurance Contents insurance protects your personal belongings in your rented home, for example against damage caused by fire, tap water, burglary, storms or hail. It is particularly useful for tenants because the landlord's buildings insurance only covers damage to the building itself, not your furniture, electronics or clothing. [Compare affordable contents insurance now and protect your home from just a few euros a month.\*](https://a.partner-versicherung.de/click.php?partner_id=188330\&ad_id=15\&deep=hausratversicherung) ### D #### Decorative repairs Decorative repairs are minor renovation tasks such as wallpapering, painting walls or painting woodwork. #### Deposit repayment The deposit is settled after the tenancy has ended and the property has been handed back, but not immediately. The landlord may deduct the cost of damage to the rented premises from the deposit. Landlords may retain part of the deposit if there are outstanding claims, such as damage to the property, unpaid rent or a pending operating cost statement. Repayment can therefore take several months until all statements have been finalised. ### F #### Fixed term A fixed term in a tenancy agreement specifies the end of the tenancy at the outset. When the fixed term expires, the agreement ends automatically unless both parties agree to an extension or the reason for the fixed term specified in the agreement no longer applies. #### Fixed-term employment Fixed-term employment is an employment contract that is limited in duration from the outset. Rental applications often ask whether your employment is fixed-term or permanent. This information helps landlords assess your financial stability. As a tenant, you must provide truthful information. #### Formal warning A formal warning is a written warning from your landlord if you have breached your obligations under the tenancy agreement, for example through repeated noise disturbances or late rent payments. It draws your attention to the behaviour and gives you an opportunity to stop it. ### G #### Guarantee / rental guarantee A guarantee, also known as a rental guarantee, is an assurance, usually issued by a bank or insurer, that payments will be made for unpaid damages or debts when the tenancy ends. It can be an alternative to a traditional tenancy deposit. #### Guarantor A guarantor is a person who undertakes to fulfil your obligations under the tenancy agreement, particularly payment of the rent. If you do not meet your obligations, the guarantor assumes liability and makes the corresponding payments. ### H #### Heating costs Heating costs are the costs of heating your home. They are usually recorded in the heating cost statement and allocated to tenants according to consumption or floor area. ### I #### IBAN The IBAN is a standardised account number that uniquely identifies each bank account within Europe and many other countries. It is used for domestic and international bank transfers. As a tenant, you need your landlord's IBAN to transfer the monthly rent correctly. Make sure you enter it exactly so that your payment can be assigned to the correct rental account. You can usually find your landlord's IBAN in the tenancy agreement. #### Index-linked rent With index-linked rent, the amount of your rent is tied to changes in the consumer price index (CPI), meaning general inflation. Your rent changes when the index changes. #### Insolvency proceedings Insolvency proceedings are a court procedure for dealing with the debts of an insolvent person or business. As a tenant, you generally need to disclose ongoing or completed insolvency proceedings in your rental application, as they affect your creditworthiness. #### itsmydata itsmydata is a Munich-based company and an Immodio partner. It offers an alternative to a traditional SCHUFA report that minimises the data disclosed. You retain control of your data and receive transparent **proof of creditworthiness** recognised by landlords. #### itsmydata credit report The itsmydata credit report provides digital proof of your ability to pay. It is recognised by landlords, minimises data disclosure and is available directly online. You control who sees which information. [Apply for an itsmydata credit report here\*](https://itsmydata.de/landingpages/immodio/pass) #### itsmydata tenant dossier The itsmydata tenant dossier contains all the key supporting documents for your rental application, including proof of rent payments, identity, income and creditworthiness. This means you only need to submit one document when applying for a property. [Apply for an itsmydata tenant dossier here\*](https://itsmydata.de/landingpages/immodio/mappe) ### M #### Minimum tenancy period The minimum tenancy period specifies how long the tenancy agreement is binding at a minimum. Neither you nor the landlord can terminate the tenancy with ordinary notice during this period. #### Monthly net income Monthly net income is your pay after deduction of taxes and social insurance contributions. #### Moving out Moving out marks the end of your tenancy and the return of the property. The property is generally handed back swept clean and in the condition agreed in the contract. ### N #### Net base rent Net base rent is the amount you pay solely for using your home, excluding operating costs and heating costs. #### Net household income Net household income is the total monthly net income of everyone who lives in a household and intends to move into a property together, such as partners, flatmates or adult children. It helps landlords realistically assess the household's ability to pay. The landlord may ask about net household income **before arranging a viewing appointment** to select suitable prospective tenants in advance. #### Notice of termination Notice of termination ends the tenancy. As a tenant, you can generally terminate with three months' notice. You can find further information about the notice period in your tenancy agreement. Notice must be given in written form. ### O #### Operating costs Operating costs are the recurring costs incurred by the owner in running and managing a property or building, such as water, heating, waste collection and communal cleaning. Under the German Operating Costs Ordinance (Betriebskostenverordnung), these costs can legally be passed on to the tenant if this is agreed in the tenancy agreement. They are generally settled annually, taking account of the tenant's monthly advance payments. #### Ordinary termination Ordinary termination observes the statutory or contractual notice periods. As a tenant, you can normally terminate at the end of a month with three months' notice. The relevant provisions are set out in your tenancy agreement. #### Other people moving in Other people moving in are people who will move into the home in addition to you as a tenant but will not be parties to the tenancy agreement, such as children under 18. You must list them in your Immodio application. #### Overcrowding Overcrowding occurs when more people live in your home than the minimum floor area per person allows. The precise requirements differ between German federal states. Around 9–10 m² per adult and around 6 m² per child under six are often used as guidelines. ### P #### Personal liability insurance Personal liability insurance protects you against claims for damages, for example if you accidentally cause damage in your rented home. As a tenant, you are personally liable in such cases. For this reason, proof of existing liability insurance is often requested in rental applications. [Compare liability insurance now and save money with a suitable policy!\*](https://a.partner-versicherung.de/click.php?partner_id=188330\&ad_id=15\&deep=haftpflichtversicherung) #### Probationary period The probationary period is a limited period at the start of employment during which both employer and employee can end the employment with a shorter notice period. Being on probation can affect your creditworthiness in rental applications because your income is considered less secure. #### Proof of income Proof of income consists of documents showing your regular income. These include payslips, pension statements, tax assessments, certificates for social benefits such as unemployment benefit, child benefit or parental allowance, maintenance payments and scholarships. Self-employed applicants are generally asked for a current business evaluation (BWA) or an income tax assessment. These documents help landlords realistically assess your ability to pay as part of your rental application. #### Property handover report The property handover report records the condition of the property when you move in or out. It should include all visible defects, meter readings and the condition of the rooms. Both parties should sign it. ### R #### Rent control This statutory rule limits the rent when existing homes are let again. In these cases, the rent charged may be no more than 10% above the local comparative rent. The rule does not apply throughout Germany, only in areas with a strained housing market. #### Rent due date The rent due date is the latest date by which the rent must be credited to the landlord's account specified in the tenancy agreement. Under Section 556b of the German Civil Code (BGB), rent is generally payable in advance by the third working day of each month, for that current month. Different arrangements may be agreed individually in the tenancy agreement. #### Rent including service charges This is the total rent including all service charges, such as heating and hot water. It gives you a clearer picture of your actual monthly housing costs. #### Rent increase A rent increase raises the amount of your rent. It is only possible under certain conditions, for example up to the local comparative rent or following modernisation work. #### Replacement tenant A replacement tenant is someone who takes over the property after you move out. In some cases, finding a suitable replacement tenant may allow you to leave the tenancy agreement early. This generally requires your landlord's consent. ### S #### Self-contained flat in the landlord's home In tenancy law, this is a residential unit in a property occupied by the landlord that contains a total of two units. Special tenancy rules apply in some cases. #### Stepped rent With stepped rent, the tenancy agreement specifies in advance whether and when your rent will increase by fixed amounts, for example annually. The agreed rent steps apply **automatically** from the specified dates, without any additional notice from the landlord. #### Subtenancy A subtenancy exists when you, as the main tenant, let all or part of your home to another person. This generally requires **your landlord's prior permission**. The exact provisions are set out in your tenancy agreement. Subletting without consent can have legal consequences, including a formal warning or, in the worst case, termination of the tenancy. As the main tenant, you remain fully responsible and liable to the landlord. ### T #### Tenancy In Immodio, you can find all the important information and documents under *Tenancy* in one place, including your tenancy agreement, confirmation of residence and handover reports. You can also sign your tenancy agreement digitally and access all your documents conveniently. #### Tenancy deposit The deposit is a security payment you make at the start of your tenancy. It provides security for possible damage or outstanding claims at the end of the tenancy. #### Tenancy start date The tenancy start date is the date on which your tenancy officially begins. From this date, you must pay the agreed rent and can use the property. #### Termination without notice Termination without notice ends the tenancy with immediate effect, without observing the usual notice periods. #### Total rent Total rent is the amount you must pay each month. It consists of the net base rent, operating costs and any additional components, such as rent for a garden or parking space. ### U #### Unit A unit is an individual rentable unit within a property, such as your particular flat. In the tenancy agreement, it is also referred to as the rented premises. #### Utility contracts Utility contracts are agreements with providers of electricity, water or gas. Whether you must arrange your own utility contracts, and which ones, is generally specified **in your tenancy agreement**. Check it carefully so that you know which services are already covered by operating costs and which you must arrange yourself. ### Information about affiliate links *\*Advertising: Immodio uses affiliate links marked with an asterisk (\*). If you take out a product through one of these links, Immodio receives a commission. There is no additional cost to you.*