Warm Rent vs Cold Rent in Germany
The monthly number in a listing is only useful when you know what it includes.
Reviewed 8 September 2026. The live snapshot below uses active reports that include both warm and cold rent, so its sample size is shown with the figures.
Cold rent, or Kaltmiete, is the base rent for the apartment. Warm rent, or Warmmiete, adds some operating costs, although the exact inclusions can vary by contract.
What is cold rent?
Cold rent is the base rent before most building operating costs are added. It helps compare similar homes, but it is not usually the full monthly payment.
What is warm rent?
Warm rent combines cold rent with advance payments for certain operating costs, often called Nebenkosten. Depending on the building and rental contract, these may include heating, water, waste collection, cleaning, or shared building costs. Utilities such as electricity and internet may still be separate.
How to compare a listing
- Start with warm rent when checking your monthly budget.
- Ask which Nebenkosten and heating costs are included.
- List separately billed utilities, especially electricity and internet.
- Separate monthly costs from one-off move-in costs such as a deposit.
- Compare homes with a similar room count, furnishing type, and Rent since date.
- Typical deposit in Berlin
- Berlin move-in costs
- Compare a Berlin rent offer
- Explore the GermanyRent map
Explore community-reported warm rents by location and home type.
GermanyRent is a community reference. Check the rental contract and its cost breakdown before making a housing decision.