Service for tenants

A well-organised change of residence saves stress and effort. Here are a few tips:

Before the move:

• Terminate your existing tenancy agreement within the required notice period. Find out about any obligations to restore the flat to its original condition, how to find a new tenant, how to hand over the flat, etc
• Clarify any open questions with your property management provider
• Schedule an appointment with the property management provider to hand over the flat
• Set your moving date: coordinate any special leave with your employer and book a moving service. Organise moving boxes, a truck, or transport trolley and find out about parking and loading zones at your new address, as well as how to dispose of bulky waste
• Inform your household insurance company well in advance of your move to ensure that your coverage includes the move itself and remains valid
• Cancel any standing orders or direct debits – rent, utilities, etc. Do you have to observe a minimum commitment period or a notice period?
• Transfer your parking permit or rent a new parking space
• Arrange for mail forwarding

After the move: 

• Register at your new place of residence.
• Change the name tags at your flat, on the intercom, and on the post box.
• Notify all the relevant authorities of your new address – here is a list of deadlines, authorities, and obligations for the city of Vienna. (All important forms available for download.)

Tip: The city of Vienna also offers a useful guide on moving, which you can find here.

You must register or deregister your place of residence within three days before or after moving. This can be done at any municipal district office (Bezirksamt) in Vienna (here you will find the adresses and online appointment booking system.)

Please bring the following documents with you:

• Application form/residence registration form (fully completed and signed by the accommodation provider – download)
• Passport or identity card (or other official identification, e.g., driving license, plus a certificate of citizenship)
• Birth certificate

If the property you are moving into or out of is managed by Chalupa: nothing at all. We take care of everything for you.

If this is not the case, please contact the relevant utility company. The meter readings will then be taken in your presence at the time of your move-out, and you will receive the relevant contract documents directly from the responsible company. 

Definitely yes. The cost of household insurance is nothing compared to the financial burden that uninsured damage can cause. Building insurance, for example, does not cover damage to your contents in the event of consequential damage or water damage. We therefore strongly recommend that you take out household insurance – ideally well in advance of your move, so that your new home is also covered. Would you like advice and support in choosing the right insurance? Contact us, we would be happy to help you.

The ongoing operating costs are billed monthly by the property management provider. Once a year, these payments are compared with the actual expenses, which can result in either a credit or additional charges. The statement for the previous year must be issued by 30 June. Any additional charges or credits apply to the tenants or owners of the flat as of the due date — this is known as the principle of debtor responsibility.

According to § 21ff MRG, the operating costs include the following:

• Water and sewage charges, including costs for inspecting the water pipes
• Calibration, maintenance, and reading of measuring devices for determining consumption
• Chimney sweeping
• Sewer cleaning
• Waste disposal (garbage collection and clearing costs)
• Pest control
• Lighting of publicly accessible parts of the building, including light bulbs
• Insurance for the building against fire/fire damage, liability, water damage including corrosion damage, glass breakage, and storm damage, if approved by the majority of tenants
• Management fee
• Building maintenance (cleaning, upkeep, winter maintenance, snow clearance, supervision of publicly accessible areas, including any employer taxes, etc. if a caretaker is hired, costs for necessary equipment and materials)
• Public charges (property tax, other charges)
• Operation of communal facilities (lift, heating system, laundry room)
• Maintenance of yards and gardens

If necessary, the monthly payments will be adjusted by the property management provider. Any increase should not exceed 10% of the costs incurred in the previous year. Such adjustments are usually made at the beginning of the calendar year. 

Tenants and owners have the right to inspect receipts and invoices – would you like to exercise this right? If so, please make an appointment with us at our office. You can request copies of the documents until 31 December of the year in which the invoice was issued. 

You can order a new key from the property management provider. You will be responsible for the cost of replacing the key. All keys, including new or duplicate keys, must be returned free of charge when you vacate the flat.How often must I have my boiler serviced and the exhaust gas measured?

Unserviced boilers can be life-threatening! A boiler must be serviced once a year – this also applies if it is still under warranty or guarantee. We would be happy to advise you or put you in touch with a maintenance service.

Why is regular maintenance so important? Carbon monoxide, which can escape, is invisible and odourless, and carbon monoxide poisoning is life-threatening. A clean burner is also more efficient, saves energy costs, and extends the service life of your appliance. 

For maintenance, you can either sign a contract with the relevant service provider or hire a certified technician you trust. In any case, make sure that you receive a report for every boiler service. You will need this if you have any problems with the appliance, or if you terminate your contract. When having repairs carried out, pay attention to the manufacturer's warranty and guarantee.

Exhaust gas measurements in accordance with the Vienna Clean Air Act are required every four years (gas boilers up to 26 kW) or every two years (gas boilers between 26 and 50 kW), depending on the output of the appliance. The measurement may only be carried out by chimney sweeps or technicians with the appropriate certification. The energy efficiency and emission limits are checked.

Check your tenancy/rental agreement for termination dates and notice periods.

Termination by email is not sufficient; the termination notice must be signed and delivered to the landlord or the authorised property management company. 

Please note the following:

• The notice of termination must be signed by all main tenants or, in the case of companies, signed on behalf of the company.
• Provide a valid telephone number and email address.
• The written notice of termination must be received by the landlord or property management company before the termination date (last day of the month), otherwise the termination will only take effect on the following termination date.
• The landlord or property management company has the right to show the property (i.e., the rental unit) to prospective tenants, provided an appointment has been made in advance. 

As soon as we receive your letter of termination, we will confirm receipt and send you all the information you need to proceed. 

After delivery of the termination notice, you will receive confirmation of termination from us. Please read this carefully and contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Please schedule an appointment with our office in good time for handing over the flat. The obligation to return the unit applies personally to all main tenants or to the authorised representatives of a company. Alternatively, a power of attorney issued by the tenant themselves can be provided. If the unit is not handed over on time, a usage fee will be charged for the additional period. 

If you have paid a deposit including interest, this will be offset against any legitimate claims by the landlord. The remaining amount will then be transferred to a bank account you provide. Cash deposits will also be refunded exclusively by bank transfer. 

We would like to briefly explain the Energy Performance Certificate Presentation Act 2012 (EAVG 2012), which came into force on 1 December 2012, and the changes it contains.

When renting, leasing, or selling buildings or properties (i.e., houses, flats, or business premises), an energy performance certificate must be presented and handed over. This obligation applies to sellers, landlords, and lessors.

The obligation to provide information about the energy performance of a building already generally applies to real estate advertisements.

The presentation of the certificate or failure to present or hand over an energy performance certificate has consequences under warranty and compensation law. Violation of these obligations also results in administrative penalties.

The energy performance certificate only provides information about the energy characteristics of a building and does not guarantee a specific energy consumption.

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MRG - Austrian Landlord and Tenant Act
RichtWG – Reference Value Act
WEG – Freehold Property Act 2002