Housing in Upper Austria

Homes are mainly sought online through sites such as:

• Advertising platforms like willhaben.at
• Daily newspapers like nachrichten.at
• Austrian real estate platform like immodirekt.at
• Online platform Build and Live wohnnet.at
• Student accommodation / shared accommodation studium.at

One-time payments

A deposit payment to the landlord of between three and six months’ gross rent is normal and serves as security for any damage caused by the tenant or missed payments. After the rental contract has ended and the accommodation has been returned in a fit state, the deposit should be returned within a reasonable period (approx. two weeks). Additionally, there is a charge for the rental contract (known as ‘Finanzamtgebühr’) payable to the local internal revenue office. This is approximately 1 % of the gross rent over the contract lifetime (max. 3 years).

Please be aware, if you rent a flat via a real estate agent, you have to pay a commission fee. For internationals, hiring local real estate agents can be very helpful as they can search an adequate flat based on the specific needs and financial possibilities. You can find further information on commission fees at: mietervereinigung.at/3889/Maklerprovision

Monthly costs for rental and lease purchase properties in Austria

The overall costs (monthly fixed costs) consist of the net rent plus service charges. The net rent is the cost of the accommodation (‘cold’), and service charges include public services like water, sewage, garbage collection, possible management charges and further heating costs. The latter is dependent on use and is calculated quarterly, half-yearly or yearly.

Cold costs for your accommodation means that your expenses for heating and electricity are charged separately. These fixed costs are due at the beginning of the month and payable in advance.

Additionally, the following costs are payable:

• Electricity
• Household insurance
• Parking
• Telephone and internet
• Television and radio charges
• Subsidies

Estate agents help with targeted searches for property and have a good overview of the market. They guide the client from completion of the contract to the hand-over of the keys. It is important to note that agents receive a commission, which is dependent on the length of rental with a maximum of two months’ worth of gross rent plus sales taxes.

The Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) provides a commission calculator: arbeiterkammer.at

A list of all estate agents in Upper Austria can be found at firmen.wko.at

Non-profit housing associations offer affordable housing and are mainly oriented towards socially disadvantaged people. Depending on the association, there are different requirements for eligibility, for example an upper limit on salary. The registration to join a housing association can be subject to a fee, and the waiting time for accommodation is usually several years.
https://www.gbv.at/gemeinnuetzige-bauwirtschaft/Mitglieder_des_Verbands/

All of the important rental terms are defined and regulated in the rental contract. Additional agreements, arrangements or declarations should be made in writing. Rental contracts have a minimum Duration of 3 years, whereby a shorter duration is not permitted due to rental legislation. After the first year, the rental agreement can be ended with a three month notice period. Special agreements can also be made regarding ending of the contract. Rental contracts found on the internet are usually inadequate, as they must be adjusted to suit the property.

Rental agreements can usually be terminated with a three-month notice period. Special agreements can also be made regarding termination of the contract. 
https://mietervereinigung.at/News/841/49151/%20Die-wichtigsten-Fristen-im-Mietrecht

One-time fees for the purchase of a property comprise the land transfer tax, a fee for registration in the land register, legal and notary expenses as well as commissions (not in the case of private purchases). These fees have to be paid in addition to the purchase price and should be budgeted at around 10 % of the purchase price. Details on requirements and the necessary steps can be found at: https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/%20content/en/46282.en.htm​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

To find a suitable short-term residence from a private operator, the website kurzzeitwohnen.com is recommended: www.kurzzeitwohnen.com/en/

For students, the International Student Center Linz (Julius Raab Heim) may be suitable accommodation. www.studentenwerk.at

Other student accommodations can be found at: www.studium.at

Also, many guest houses, bed and breakfasts and hotels offer cheap living opportunities as a temporary solution until you find the right rental accommodation.

Accommodation in Austria is typically unfurnished. In exceptional cases, a kitchen can be bought from the previous owners. Sanitary appliances like a bath, shower and toilets are usually present. However, depending on the previous tenant or owner, the accommodation may still be offered furnished or partly furnished.