Vienna City Guide

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© 2016 Dwellworks Page 13 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.
Utility and Telecommunication Providers
Electricity and Gas
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
(in English also)
E-mail: