Questions to ask at an apartment viewing in Germany

Published May 16, 2026·Updated May 26, 2026

Transcript

Read along, German & English, side by side

Honestly, the biggest problem when viewing an apartment is often not the apartment itself, but us.

You fall in love with the beautiful balcony and overlook the small, expensive details.

Do you know that feeling when you think, oh, the bathroom is fine, and then later realize it's not?

Totally. And many people believe that the landlord will fix everything immediately when you ask.

Well, then you wait and wait.

You often read in forums about mold in bathrooms or behind kitchen furniture.

And that's a real horror story.

And do you know what's even crazier?

Many don’t ask about hidden costs, like utility fees and such.

And in the end, the total rent is much higher than expected.

That really hurts your wallet, I think.

Hey everyone, great to see you here.

I'm Julia, and today we’ll talk casually and practically about apartment viewings.

What to look for, and yes, how to avoid stress later on.

I’m Tim. And I've been to quite a few viewings.

Good ones, and also, uh, well, not so good ones.

Today we share tips and real stories, so you feel more confident.

So let's get started.

Before you even step inside, preparation is important, but please relax.

Have your documents ready, like your pay slips and a brief introduction about yourselves.

A little personal note in your email can work wonders, a mini-cover letter, who are you, what do you do, why are you a good fit?

Yes, that’s really a secret tip.

A friendly text with two or three sentences often increases your chances of getting an appointment, especially in cities with many applicants.

And bring a friend along; four eyes see more.

And you’re more likely to ask critical questions.

Okay, now you’re inside.

Many first look at the living room; it’s bright and spacious and all.

But please, also go directly into the kitchen and the bathroom; that’s where most problems occur.

Check the corners, the seams, and take a look under the sink, okay?

Exactly, seams are those little silicone or tile edges.

If they’re dark, it could be mold.

Mold often smells musty, a damp odor.

And try the faucet, does warm water come out quickly, and is the pressure okay?

I once had a kitchen that looked brand new, really nice.

And then, uh, months later, there was trouble; there was mold deep in the wall behind a cabinet.

The property management downplayed it at first, and when a repairman came and cut into it, it got really bad.

That’s when I realized what seems small can be huge.

Ugh, yeah.

So, if something looks damp or smells weird, better ask how long it's been like that, who will fix it, and by when.

Very important, if the landlord says it will be fixed, please make sure to get it in writing in the contract or a confirmation.

Just words, well, those often aren’t helpful later.

And check the bathroom thoroughly, flush the toilet and see how quickly the water refills.

Turn on the shower briefly, both cold and hot; do you hear any strange noises?

Do you see yellow spots on the ceiling, maybe from the neighbor upstairs?

Windows are also important. Just open and close them; do you feel a draft?

Double-glazed windows save energy, also ask for the energy certificate.

That’s a document with information about the apartment’s energy consumption.

Sounds boring, but it’s worth its weight in gold.

Heating, yes. Is it a central heating system or a gas boiler in the apartment?

If there’s a boiler, ask about the last maintenance check.

And how is it billed, monthly or once a year with a settlement?

Keyword: additional costs. These are extra charges for heating, water, waste, cleaning, and so on.

Ask very specifically, what's included and what's not.

Are there costs for the caretaker, the elevator, cable, or shared internet, or a parking space?

And think about other expenses too.

Many forget about insurance, like liability insurance.

It doesn't cost much, but combined with internet, TV license fees, and maybe bike storage fees, it adds up.

So it's better to calculate beforehand.

Speaking of calculations, ask about the cold rent and warm rent.

Cold rent is just the rent for the rooms; warm rent includes additional costs.

And how much is the deposit, the money for security?

Usually, it's two to three cold rents; that's something to remember and plan for.

Sometimes landlords say, well, the bathroom will be renovated.

Please ask more precisely, what exactly will be done and when, and who pays if it takes longer.

If you don't clarify that, you'll be stuck with a construction site for months.

I've heard a story about that.

They kept promising, and in the end, there was stress and lower rent, but also a lot of frustration.

Yes, a rent reduction sounds good, but it’s frustrating.

You pay less because something isn’t working, but that’s emotionally taxing.

It's better to clarify everything beforehand and keep it in writing.

So take photos during the viewing, make notes, and if possible, schedule a second appointment, maybe in the evening around half past five, because of noise.

Exactly, noise test. Close the windows, be quiet for a moment. Can you hear the street, the train, the neighbors? Then open the windows; is it still loud? Also, check the courtyard; is there a bar, a playground, or construction?

Here's a little trick. Test the mobile network briefly. No reception is really annoying in everyday life. And check where the outlets are, including in the kitchen for appliances. If you cook, you need plenty of outlets; otherwise, it’ll be a hassle.

And the kitchen itself. Does it belong to the apartment or is it the previous tenant's kitchen? Ask what exactly stays.

The old appliances are stove, refrigerator, dishwasher. Old appliances consume a lot of electricity; also check under the sink to see if it's dry and at the back wall, as far as you can see.

Little terms explained briefly so everyone understands. A fitted kitchen means the kitchen is permanently installed and usually stays.

A handover protocol is a list upon moving in with all damages and meter readings for electricity and water. It helps later if there are questions.

There’s also a bigger issue that many argue about, the so-called termination for personal use.

This means the landlord says he needs the apartment for himself or for family.

Some tenants say this is abused to get higher rent. Landlords say they have rights too.

I say, read the contract carefully and inform yourself early if you have questions.

Yes, and for open points, ask calmly but clearly. Who does what and by when? Who pays for it? And is it in writing?

If the landlord just says, well, we'll see about that, it sounds nice but doesn't help.

Politely follow up on points.

A mistake many make is not thoroughly checking the bathroom and kitchen. The air is often damp there, and that’s where mold begins.

Look for dark spots in corners and seams, even behind the washing machine, as far as you can, and take a moment to smell.

Your nose is actually a great tool.

And a second mistake is thinking repairs will be done immediately. It often takes time. So better clarify before signing the contract.

I always say, what’s unclear today will be expensive tomorrow; it sounds a bit harsh, but it saves nerves.

Another practical tip during the viewing: ask about the house rules. Are there quiet hours, stairwell cleaning, sweeping weeks?

What about bikes or strollers in the hallway? These are little things but very important in everyday life.

And simply put, look at the stairwell. Is it clean? Does it smell funny? Are letters scattered everywhere?

That often says a lot about the community. Feel free to say, we want to feel comfortable here. What are the neighbors like?

I have another tip for your inquiry: before even going for a viewing, a short personal email with a photo can help.

Don’t overdo it, just two sentences, I’m Julia, I work part-time in a café, looking long-term, I'm quiet and reliable.

That really increased the response rate for friends.

And ask in your inquiry about all costs. Is a parking space included? Does it cost extra? Is there a property management fee?

What are the average additional costs, and were there any extra charges last year? Surprises can sting.

If you're unsure, take a measuring tape with you on the second visit and take photos, of course only with permission.

Measure the bedroom; will the bed fit in? This way, you can avoid stress when moving in. And check the basement; is it dry, can you really store things there?

Oh, and just one small but good point. Ring your neighbor nicely, if possible, and ask how they’re doing.

A real, brief conversation often says more than any ad on the website. Of course, only if it feels right and stays friendly.

One more thing comes to mind about renovations. When the landlord says the bathroom will be ready soon, ask for a date and get it in writing.

I know of a case where it was always, next week, next week, and in the end, months went by. That really wears you out.

If something goes wrong after moving in, stay calm and report it in writing. Send photos, set a deadline, and say when it should be fixed.

And if nothing happens at all, you can seek advice, for example, from the tenants' association. But yes, the goal is to prevent such situations with a good viewing.

In summary, here’s what I always check: bathroom, kitchen, windows, heating, additional costs, and the atmosphere of the house.

Then test the noise and mobile network. And make sure to put important points in writing. No verbal promises only.

It sounds like a lot, but it goes quickly when you know what to look for.

And even when you fall in love, a little distance helps. Feel free to say, let’s think about it overnight and we’ll get back to you.

If the apartment truly fits, it often waits until tomorrow. And if not, the next one will come along.

In many cities, there's a lot of competition for each apartment, sure, but panic isn’t a good advisor.

That's right. And if you’re currently searching, good luck and lots of patience. It can be exhausting at times, but with these questions and checks, you’re really well prepared.

And maybe the next viewing will even be a bit of fun.

So, I think those were quite a few simple tips.

If this helped you, feel free to give us a like and subscribe to our channel.

That way, you won’t miss an episode, even on topics like moving or handover protocol. Thanks for listening.

Yes, thank you all. Also, feel free to write to us about what happened to you at viewings, good or chaotic stories.

We’re all learning together. See you next week. Stay relaxed and curious.

See you next week.