German · Kündigung / Auszug
Before moving out you ask whether you have to paint the walls: what to say in German
Before moving out you ask whether you have to paint the walls.
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How it's done. Whether you have to paint the walls when you leave is written in the contract; not every clause is valid, so if in doubt ask the Mieterverein (tenants' association).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, muss ich beim Auszug die Wohnung streichen?
Aynt-SHOOL-dee-goong, moos eekh bighm OWS-tsook dee VOH-noong SHTRIGH-khayn?
Excuse me, do I have to paint the flat when I move out?
Or say:Muss ich die Wände streichen, bevor ich ausziehe?
Moos eekh dee VAYN-deh SHTRIGH-khayn, beh-FOR eekh OWS-tsee-eh?
THEY SAY
Das steht im Mietvertrag. Bei Ihnen steht, dass Sie renovieren müssen.Dahs shtet eem MEET-fehr-truhk. Bigh EE-nayn shtet, dahs zee reh-noh-VEE-rayn MYOO-sayn.
That is in the lease. Yours says that you have to redecorate.
They might also say:
Das kommt auf den Mietvertrag an. Lesen wir ihn zusammen.
Dahs komt owf dayn MEET-fehr-truhk ahn. LEH-zayn veer een tsoo-ZAH-mayn.
That depends on the lease. Let's read it together.
2
YOU REPLY
Was heißt renovieren genau?
Vahs khighst reh-noh-VEE-rayn geh-NOW?
What exactly does redecorating mean?
THEY SAY
Wände streichen, wenn sie stark abgenutzt sind. Kleine Gebrauchsspuren sind normal.VAYN-deh SHTRIGH-khayn, vayn zee shtahrk AHB-geh-nootst zeent. KLIGH-neh geh-BROWKSSH-poo-rayn zeent nor-MAHL.
Painting walls if they are heavily worn. Small signs of use are normal.
3
YOU REPLY
Und wenn eine Klausel nicht gültig ist?
Oont vayn IGH-neh KLOW-zel neekht GYOOL-teekh eest?
And if a clause is not valid?
THEY SAY
Das stimmt, nicht jede Klausel ist wirksam. Fragen Sie im Zweifel den Mieterverein.Dahs shteemt, neekht YEH-deh KLOW-zel eest VEERK-zuhm. FRAH-gayn zee eem TSVIGH-fel dayn MEE-tehr-feh-righn.
That's true, not every clause is effective. If in doubt ask the tenants' association.
4
YOU FINISH
Verstehe. Vielen Dank!
Fehrsh-TEH-eh. FEE-layn dahnk!
I see. Thank you very much!
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
muss
moos
verb
must, has to
Auszug
OWS-tsook
noun
moving out
Wohnung
VOH-noong
noun
flat
streichen
SHTRIGH-khayn
verb
to paint
steht
shtet
verb
stands
Mietvertrag
MEET-fehr-truhk
noun
rental contract
39 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
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