German · Kaution / Nebenkosten
You ask how and when to pay the deposit for the flat: what to say in German
You ask how and when to pay the deposit for the flat.
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How it's done. By law the deposit (Kaution) may be paid in three equal parts; better not in cash but by transfer to a separate account (Kautionskonto); it is returned after you move out, sometimes after a few months.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
Entschuldigung, wie zahle ich die Kaution? Muss ich sie bar bringen?
Aynt-SHOOL-dee-goong, vee TSAH-leh eekh dee kow-tsee-OHN? Moos eekh zee bahr BREEN-gayn?
Excuse me, how do I pay the deposit? Do I have to bring it in cash?
Or say:Wie kann ich die Mietkaution bezahlen?
Vee kahn eekh dee meet-kow-tsee-OHN beh-TSAH-layn?
THEY SAY
Nein, bitte keine Barzahlung. Sie überweisen sie auf ein Kautionskonto.Nighn, BEE-teh KIGH-neh BAHR-tsuh-loong. Zee yoo-behr-VIGH-zayn zee owf ighn KOW-tsee-ohns-kohn-toh.
No, please no cash. You transfer it to a deposit account.
They might also say:
Sie zahlen per Überweisung auf ein separates Konto.
Zee TSAH-layn pehr yoo-behr-VIGH-zoong owf ighn zeh-puh-RAH-tes KOHN-toh.
You pay by transfer to a separate account.
2
YOU REPLY
Muss ich sie auf einmal zahlen? Das ist viel Geld.
Moos eekh zee owf IGHN-muhl TSAH-layn? Dahs eest feel gelt.
Do I have to pay it all at once? That is a lot of money.
THEY SAY
Sie dürfen die Kaution in drei Raten zahlen. Die erste Rate zahlen Sie beim Einzug.Zee DYOOR-fayn dee kow-tsee-OHN een drigh RAH-tayn TSAH-layn. Dee EHRS-teh RAH-teh TSAH-layn zee bighm IGHN-tsook.
You may pay the deposit in three instalments. You pay the first one when you move in.
3
YOU REPLY
Und wann bekomme ich das Geld zurück?
Oont vahn beh-KOH-meh eekh dahs gelt tsoo-RYOOK?
And when do I get the money back?
THEY SAY
Nach dem Auszug, wenn die Wohnung in Ordnung ist. Das dauert manchmal einige Monate.Nahkh dem OWS-tsook, vayn dee VOH-noong een ORD-noong eest. Dahs DOW-ehrt MAHNKH-muhl IGH-nee-geh MOH-nuh-teh.
After you move out, if the flat is in order. That sometimes takes a few months.
4
YOU FINISH
Danke, das ist gut zu wissen.
DAHN-keh, dahs eest goot tsoo VEE-sayn.
Thanks, that is good to know.
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “German for life in Germany”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
wie
vee
adverb
how
zahle
TSAH-leh
verb
I pay
Kaution
kow-tsee-OHN
noun
deposit
Muss
Moos
verb
must, has to
bar
bahr
adjective
in cash
bringen
BREEN-gayn
verb
to bring
44 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
KYOH-nayn zee dahs BEE-teh vee-dehr-KHOH-layn?
Can you repeat that, please?
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
KYOH-nayn zee BEE-teh LAHNG-zuh-muh SHPREH-khayn?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Was bedeutet das?
Vahs beh-DOY-tet dahs?
What does this mean?
Similar situations
You ask about the deposit for the flatKaution / Nebenkosten · A2 in the app
→You ask what the service charges coverKaution / Nebenkosten · A2 in the app
→The service charge statement has arrived and you do not understand the extra paymentKaution / Nebenkosten · A2 in the app
→You phone the utility company to set up electricity in the new flatStrom / Internet · A2 in the app
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