What rent in Vienna includes: base rent, operating costs and VAT

The parts of the rent

• Base rent (Hauptmietzins).
• Operating costs (Betriebskosten): water, waste collection, building insurance, caretaking and administration.
• VAT, charged on residential rent.
• Sometimes heating and hot water, if the building supplies them centrally.

Electricity, gas, internet and household insurance are usually your own contracts on top.

The yearly settlement

Operating costs are paid monthly as an advance and settled once a year. Depending on the actual costs you get money back or pay the difference, so keep a small reserve.

Older buildings

Many flats in older buildings fall under the full scope of the Tenancy Act (MRG), which limits the base rent. If a rent looks high for an older building, the city's free tenant advice service can check it before or after you sign.