https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Austria in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed 'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons. https://www.thelocal.at/20240502/haushaltsversicherung-how-does-austrias-home-insurance-work Thu, 02 May 2024 15:22:36 +0200 haushaltsversicherung-how-does-austrias-home-insurance-work Renting an apartment in Austria means you’ll have to budget not only for the rent, but other somewhat hidden monthly costs and expenses. https://www.thelocal.at/20240430/betriebskosten-what-are-the-extra-costs-renters-must-pay-in-austria Tue, 30 Apr 2024 11:29:34 +0200 betriebskosten-what-are-the-extra-costs-renters-must-pay-in-austria Renewing your lease in Austria isn’t always simple – from legal time limits to rent hikes, here’s what tenants should know. https://www.thelocal.at/20250515/new-lease-new-rules-how-rental-contract-extensions-work-in-austria Thu, 15 May 2025 14:48:56 +0200 new-lease-new-rules-how-rental-contract-extensions-work-in-austria When a dishwasher or oven breaks down in a rented home, many tenants in Austria wonder who should pay for the repairs – especially if the appliance was included with the flat. The answer depends on what kind of property you live in and the type of contract you signed. https://www.thelocal.at/20251031/renting-in-austria-does-the-landlord-have-to-fix-my-broken-kitchen-appliances Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:39:04 +0100 renting-in-austria-does-the-landlord-have-to-fix-my-broken-kitchen-appliances "Mit Charme" (charming) and "Gemütlich" (cosy) might sound appealing, but in Austria’s property market, those German words can mean something else entirely. https://www.thelocal.at/20251105/the-german-words-austrian-estate-agents-might-use-to-rip-you-off Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:50:34 +0100 the-german-words-austrian-estate-agents-might-use-to-rip-you-off It's not easy finding an apartment or house in Austria, but once you do, make sure you have all the proper papers so you don't hamper your chances of getting it. https://www.thelocal.at/20220408/explained-which-documents-do-you-need-to-rent-a-flat-in-austria Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:50:18 +0200 explained-which-documents-do-you-need-to-rent-a-flat-in-austria Finding a rental flat in Vienna has become so competitive that estate agents say they are now handling selection processes on behalf of landlords – and when you apply can make a key difference in whether you get an apartment. https://www.thelocal.at/20260310/why-timing-is-everything-in-the-ultra-competitive-vienna-rental-scene Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:39:20 +0100 why-timing-is-everything-in-the-ultra-competitive-vienna-rental-scene It's more than just a question of their age and style; the type of building you live in in Austria can affect everything from your heating costs to your rental fee. https://www.thelocal.at/20211130/altbau-vs-neubau-whats-the-difference-and-which-should-i-rent-in-austria Tue, 30 Nov 2021 15:05:26 +0100 altbau-vs-neubau-whats-the-difference-and-which-should-i-rent-in-austria In Austria, a deposit dispute can flare up when a couple splits and both are on the lease. Who gets the security deposit back? https://www.thelocal.at/20260224/renting-in-austria-who-gets-the-rental-deposit-back-if-tenants-split-up Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:55:21 +0100 renting-in-austria-who-gets-the-rental-deposit-back-if-tenants-split-up You’ve lived in your rented apartment in Austria for years—but suddenly your landlord says they need it back for personal use. Is this allowed? Here’s what the law says. https://www.thelocal.at/20250312/reader-question-can-my-landlord-ask-me-to-leave-my-apartment-so-he-can-use-it Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:54:47 +0100 reader-question-can-my-landlord-ask-me-to-leave-my-apartment-so-he-can-use-it If you are a renter and want to rent out your apartment or get someone to rent a spare room, you need to know the Austrian laws first. https://www.thelocal.at/20240619/am-i-allowed-to-sublet-my-rental-apartment-in-austria Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:05:49 +0200 am-i-allowed-to-sublet-my-rental-apartment-in-austria Falling temperatures combined with cold and wet weather across Austria means that your home is at risk of mould and damp. We look at how you should tackle it and approach it with your landlord or property management. https://www.thelocal.at/20251125/health-hazard-what-to-do-if-you-find-mould-in-your-austrian-flat Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:00:47 +0100 health-hazard-what-to-do-if-you-find-mould-in-your-austrian-flat After years of turbulence, experts see Austria’s housing market is gaining momentum again in 2026. https://www.thelocal.at/20260107/what-austrias-shifting-property-market-could-mean-for-buyers-and-renters Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:54:28 +0100 what-austrias-shifting-property-market-could-mean-for-buyers-and-renters Finding an apartment or house in Austria is not easy, especially if you have recently moved to the country. Here's how to get a head start. https://www.thelocal.at/20220323/renting-in-austria-how-to-get-a-flat-when-you-just-moved-into-the-country Wed, 23 Mar 2022 13:55:45 +0100 renting-in-austria-how-to-get-a-flat-when-you-just-moved-into-the-country From longer minimum terms to one percent rent caps, Austria’s overhaul of rental law will change how contracts are signed and renewed across the country. https://www.thelocal.at/20251211/what-austrias-new-rental-package-means-for-tenants-in-2026 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:13:37 +0100 what-austrias-new-rental-package-means-for-tenants-in-2026 Thousands of tenants in Austria are unknowingly paying more rent than legally allowed, especially in formerly non-profit cooperative flats. Here’s how you can check if you're affected and defend yourself. https://www.thelocal.at/20250321/how-to-know-if-your-landlord-in-austria-might-be-charging-too-much-rent Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:50:31 +0100 how-to-know-if-your-landlord-in-austria-might-be-charging-too-much-rent The short answer is usually no, but this is an issue that frequently comes up for tenants in Austria. We explain the laws and rights that apply. https://www.thelocal.at/20220119/reader-question-do-i-have-to-repaint-the-walls-when-i-leave-a-rental-in-austria Wed, 19 Jan 2022 12:46:17 +0100 reader-question-do-i-have-to-repaint-the-walls-when-i-leave-a-rental-in-austria Noisy neighbours? Can't sleep? Before you call the Austria police it's important to understand the law on noise complaints. https://www.thelocal.at/20231127/what-are-the-laws-on-noisy-neighbours-in-austria Mon, 27 Nov 2023 17:11:04 +0100 what-are-the-laws-on-noisy-neighbours-in-austria Do you need to wait for a specific date to start heating your home in Austria? Or is there a limit to how much you can have te heating on? Here’s what tenants and landlords need to know about staying warm this winter. https://www.thelocal.at/20241217/does-austria-have-an-official-heating-season-or-heating-limit Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:58:56 +0100 does-austria-have-an-official-heating-season-or-heating-limit Austria’s housing market downturn may be ending, with experts predicting price increases by 2026. Here’s what buyers and renters should know. https://www.thelocal.at/20250221/why-austrias-property-prices-could-rise-again-by-2026 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:56:03 +0100 why-austrias-property-prices-could-rise-again-by-2026