If you don't speak fluent German, you will probably feel quite confused by the wide range of terms used in the German housing market. The following glossary gives you an overview of the most important terms and abbreviations.
3 Zi.-Whg = three-room apartment
3 ZKDB = three rooms plus kitchen, hallway, bath
Abstand = you have to buy some of the fixtures and furnishings
DG (Dachgeschoss) = loft apartment
EBK (Einbauküche) = built-in kitchen
EG (Erdgeschoss) = ground floor
HH (Hinterhaus) = back of the house (might have little light)
K (Kaution) = deposit
kalt = heating extra
NR (Nichtraucher) = non-smokers
KM (Kaltmiete) = (cold rent)
KN = kitchenette
Nachmieter = tenant who takes over an old lease
NMM (Nettomonatsmiete) = net monthly rent (plus costs for heating, electricity, gas, water, waste disposal)
MVZ (Monatliche Vorauszahlung) = rent in advance
Prov. (Provision) = commission
qm (Quadratmeter)= square metre (size of the apartment)
TG (Tiefgarage) = underground garage
VH (Vorderhaus) = front of the house
WG (Wohngemeinschaft) = shared flat
WBS erford. (Wohnberechtigungsschein) = subsidised housing only rented to holders of a special permit (WBS)
Wfl. (Wohnfläche) = living space
WM (Warmmiete) = warm rent (this is the cold rent plus additional cost)
Zi (Zimmer) = room(s)
ZH (Zentralheizung) = central heating
zzgl. NK = plus extra charges (heating, electricity, etc.)