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© 2016 Dwellworks
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Vienna City Guide
Partly Furnished Accommodation
The situation is different when fittings belong to the landlord. It may be the case that the
landlord installs a kitchen at the tenant’s cost and increases the rent accordingly or a built-in
kitchen is already reflected in the rent. Such an agreement should be part of the rental
contract; a precise list of items (walk-through protocol) is required. The same applies when
buying a property.
Furnished Accommodation
In Austria, the letting of furnished property is not as common as it is in some other countries,
even less so for large apartments or houses. Please note that the furniture is sometimes of
poor quality and old-fashioned. When a satisfactorily furnished property is found, one must
expect a rent 10 - 20 percent higher than for an empty property.
Rental Prices in Vienna
In general, rental prices in Vienna are rising. The inner districts of Vienna (districts 1 to 9)
and the so-called green districts to the north/northwest of the city centre (districts 13, 18, 19
and partly 17) are the favourite areas and thus also the most expensive.
The location, size, layout and fittings in an apartment determine the price. They have to be
in balance with each other. An apartment in an expensive neighbourhood with spacious
layout and state-of-the-art fittings is not available for an inexpensive rent. Furnished
apartments are less available and more expensive than unfurnished apartments.
Basic Know-How for Tenants
Duration of Rental Contract
There are normally two types of rental agreements:
Unspecified duration – The contract can usually be cancelled by both parties with a
termination period of three months to the end of a calendar month if not agreed otherwise in
the contract.
Specified duration – A rental contract that is valid for at least three years (or more) can be
cancelled after one year with a three months’ notice to the end of a calendar month.
Moreover, a so called company clause/diplomatic clause may be negotiated which says that
the tenant may cancel the lease with a three months’ notice at any time but only if the tenant
has to move to another city for professional reasons.
Fees to the Inland Revenue Office (Tax)
According to Austrian law, any costs relating to the lease contract which are incurred with
the Inland Revenue Office are at the expense of the tenant. If the landlord/property
management is directed to pay any such costs, the tenant must reimburse him/them upon
presentation thereof. In general, the basis for the calculation of the amount is the triple
annual gross rent. The amount which needs to be paid to the Inland Revenue Office is 1%
of the triple annual gross rent.