Vienna City Guide

Other Important Rental Information + The standard lease form is a limited contract, for either three or five years and with a maximum of ten years. An option to renew the lease can be negotiated. Rental contracts concluded for an unlimited period of time have become more common recently. + Three months’ rent, regardless of whether the property concerned is furnished or unfurnished, is the standard amount required for the deposit. For highly exclusive properties, security deposits in the amount of six months’ rent are not unusual. + When renting the landlord requires the first month’s rent and the deposit to be paid before handing over the keys. The deposit is usually put into a savings account and will be returned to the tenant when moving out plus interest - as long as no claims are open against the tenant. + Real estate fees depend on the length of the contract and are legally fixed to a maximum of two months’ gross rent (plus an additional 20% VAT). + A landlord/landlady has to receive the cancellation letter the latest on the last day of the month. Day of entry is mandatory, not the day of sending the letter. + Associated lease costs are usually paid on top of the net rent. They are paid monthly as a pre-payment to the landlord. Once a year the landlord will compile a list of the actual costs and the tenant will either have to pay on top of the already paid costs or will receive a refund. + Heating and warm water is often not included in the associated lease costs, nor is electricity and/or gas. These will be paid directly to the suppliers. Generally speaking, the costs for heating and electricity are rising. + If you rent a house in Austria, you are required by law to provide for snow and ice removal of the sidewalk in front of your house for the duration of your lease. If the tenant is required to be responsible for snow removal during the winter, then he is liable for any damage which may be caused by his neglect to remove the snow. + Many landlords are unfavorably disposed towards pets, particularly with regard to well-furnished apartments. + It is possible, but very difficult, to rent apartments for a shorter period of six months - when circumstances absolutely require it. Apartment hotels or serviced apartments are comparably easier to find for such short periods. The local public utility company (“Wien Energie”) needs to be informed of the date of move- in and of the meter numbers. Online registration is also possible. Approximately ten days later, you will receive the contract. The easiest forms of payment are either direct debit from your bank account or bank transfer. The amounts paid will be compared to and totaled with your actual consumption once a year. Wien Energie GmbH Thomas-Klestil-Platz 14 1030 Wien Phone: 0800 500 800 www.wienenergie.at (in English also) E-mail: office@wienenergie.at Utility and Telecommunication Providers Electricity and Gas

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Vienna City Guide