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Home , Alsergrund, Austria, Bisamberg, Brigittenau, Districts of Vienna, District (Austria)

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Housing/living in Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Housing issues things to do before signing a rental contract 10 1. Obtain an English version of the prospective rental contract; 2. Never make any payments before verifying all related information; 3. Make sure that you are aware of rental contract details before signing a binding offer; 4. Carefully consider all paragraphs of the rental contract; 5. Suggest inclusion of a diplomatic clause (early termination clause) in your rental contract when signing a limited lease; 6. Negotiate real estate agent fees; 7. Pay your deposit into a savings account; 8. Be aware of complicated and cumbersome contractual constructs; 9. Be aware of appliance renewal arrangements; 10. If you feel uncertain about the contract, consult a lawyer. things that should be in a rental contract 1. Duration of lease, start and end dates; 5 2. Description and exact of property; 3. Monthly and additional (e.g. maintenance) charges; 4. Deposit; 5. Diplomatic clause. things which should not show up in a rental contract 3 1. Obligation to repaint; 2. Compensatory payment for early departure; 3. Any sort of discrimination clause. absolute condition Before renting a place, find help to check the contents of the rental 1 contract. Contents

Welcome ...... 3

Housing/living in Vienna What types of accommodation are available in Vienna?...... 4 Is short term accommodation for singles/couples on short contracts available?...... 4 What does a partly furnished apartment include?...... 4 What is included in a furnished apartment/?...... 4 Are there standard heating systems?...... 4 What are the typical rental costs for an apartment or a house?...... 4 Is there something I need to know about rent levels?...... 5 What kind of rental subsidy can I get?...... 5 How are utility costs handled?...... 5 What is the typical commission paid to real estate agents?...... 5 What do house maintenance costs (Betriebskosten) include?...... 6 What is Value Added Tax (VAT)?...... 6 What is the deposit?...... 6 What is the cost of living index?...... 7 Can I purchase a property?...... 7 What are typical conditions?...... 7 Where to live?...... 8 What does rental accommodation usually cost?...... 10 Do I have to pay tax?...... 10 What is Ablöse?...... 10 Can the landlord terminate my lease contract?...... 11 What happens if I have to move out earlier than expected?...... 11 Do I need separate insurance coverage for my apartment and for my personal belongings?...... 11 Are , cable TV, satellite TV available?...... 12 Who is responsible for changing the name on the outside buzzer of the apartment ?...... 12

1 Can you recommend an insurance company, a transport service, or storage facilities?...... 12 Do I have to repaint my apartment prior to moving?...... 12 If I want to buy property, can you assist?...... 12 Is the VIC Housing Service free of charge for members of all organizations?...... 12 What is the consumer price index?...... 12 What are the postal codes and names of the in Vienna?...... 13 Useful vocabulary...... 14 Helpful hints...... 16 Private short term accommodation...... 16 Useful links...... 16 Public transport...... 16 Emergency numbers...... Back cover

2 Housing/living in Vienna Welcome

Finding suitable and convenient • Counselling with regard to accommodation in a strange rental law; city can be daunting. You need • Rental accommodation listings to consider location, calculate (database); costs, find out about utilities and services, and understand the • Help with rental related queries. pertinent legislation. The VIC Note: contracts concluded Housing Service is here to help with landlords not listed with you decide where to live and to the Housing Service cannot be advise you on renting property. reviewed; however, please visit the Welcome to the IAEA Housing web site www.vichousing.org for Service. We are happy to helpful hints. support you in your quest to Email: VIC-Housing.Contact- find appropriate and affordable [email protected]; accommodation in Vienna by providing the following services: Our office is located in: Building A, 7th , A-0764 • Individual evaluation of our customers’ requirements;

3 Housing/living in Vienna Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of accommodation be expected; however, some are available in Vienna? landlords are willing to provide lamps, curtains and units. Apartments • Modern style, from 1950 What is included in a onwards, furnished or partly furnished apartment/house? furnished; It can range from very • Older style (Altbauwohnung), to a fully furnished renovated and updated, dwelling, including crockery, mostly 19th century or early and linen. 20th century, downtown and suburban, furnished or partly furnished. Are there standard heating systems? • The common type of • Modern , 2–3 heating is gas central heating — storeys, mostly partly furnished; (Gasetagenheizung) for • Single family houses in Vienna individual use. and surroundings, partly • House central heating is typical furnished, private garden. for apartment built in the ’60s–’80s. The costs are Is short term accommodation usually part of the maintenance available for those on short bill, subject to annual settlement contracts? of accounts. Yes, there are a number of fully • Fernwärme is an alternative type furnished apartments available of central heating, provided by with a maximum rental duration of the city. This is installed mostly six months. Normally, all costs are in new buildings. covered in the rent. What are the typical What does a partly furnished rental costs for an apartment include? apartment or a house? Generally, it would have a fully Costs at beginning of lease: fitted with combined fridge/ • First month’s rent in advance freezer and electric or gas and oven. No other furniture should • Three months’ rent deposit

4 Is there something I need energy provider ( Energie) via to know about rent levels? www.wienenergie.at. It is important to have the meters read at the Rents vary according to: beginning of the lease. The month • location when the meters of your apartment will be read appears on the annual • type of building bill. Also, meter readings can be • furnishing sent on line to Wien Energie via their web site. (Most landlords are • availability of common facilities willing to assist in making these • proximity to public transportation. arrangements.) Rents are paid in advance by bank transfer from your account What is the typical to the account of the owners or commission paid to their representative. real estate agents? • Two months’ rent — basic rent What kind of rental and house maintenance costs subsidy can I get? if the lease period is than three years; The Division of Human Resources will be glad to provide advice • One month’s rent — basic rent on both policy and procedural and house maintenance costs aspects of the scheme. Please if the lease period is three years refer to them or their web site: or less; www.iaea.org/about/employment/ • 3% of the selling price if you professional-staff/conditions purchase property;

How are utility costs handled? • 20% VAT on top of the amount, added in all cases. Your gas/electricity bill is based Please note: verbal commitments on an estimate of consumption are binding and will entitle the agent during the previous year. The to charge the commission that accounts are settled each year, you agreed upon. We recommend whereby any or amounts due not signing any documents that are paid. Frequency of payment you don’t understand. Have them depends on whether you pay by checked by competent persons/ direct debit or by installment. authorities (e.g. lawyers, notaries, You can choose your method of tenants’ association). payment on the website of the

5 What do house maintenance Please note: VAT is not costs (Betriebskosten) include? applicable if the tenant enjoys full diplomatic status (P5 and above) A catch-all charge including — or if ’s income from rent where applicable — payment for: and their own business is lower • caretaker (Hausmeister) and than a certain amount per year. facility management company • cold water and maintenance of What is the deposit? external water pipes Three months’ total rent at • building insurance (except for the beginning of the lease to your private insurance) be paid to the owner or their representative. • garbage collection However, the trend with • taxes commercial proprietors (e.g. • cleaning and of common banks, insurance companies) is to charge up to six months’ rent. • house administration and lift How to pay deposits: • sweeping • Cash against receipt. The amount is refundable, usually • gardener for common green area. including normal interest. Please note: House maintenance • Bank transfer to the landlord’s costs are revised at the end of account. each calendar year by the house administration (Hausverwaltung) • Savings book. The amount is and adjusted within the first six paid into a savings book at months of the following year. Your your bank and handed over to total rent will change accordingly, the landlord, together with the unless it was agreed that the rent password. would be paid as a lump sum, • Bank guarantee. The bank inclusive of charges. grants a credit up to the amount specified in the lease What is Value agreement. The charges for Added Tax (VAT)? the credit are approx. 2% per annum and a one-time fee for 10% on rent for accommodation issuing the certificate. for residential purpose, house maintenance costs; Most owners will accept a savings book from your bank, to be 20% on furniture, heating, , handed over upon signing the utilities (gas, electricity). lease or taking possession of keys

6 against receipt. The interest goes • Ask friends, neighbours and to the tenant. In case the owner colleagues prefers cash or a bank transfer, • Negotiate commission and it should be stated in the lease terms with agents contract that the usual interest is granted to the lessee. Deposits • Be careful when signing are refundable at the end of the documents lease, either immediately or within • Note that verbal commitments four weeks, provided that all bills are binding have been paid and the apartment is in good condition. • Find a lawyer to review or draw up the contract (the lawyer will need a written statement What is the cost from the Division of Human of living index? Resources confirming the status All lease contracts provide for a of your employment in order to rental adjustment based on the obtain the Negativbescheid). change in the official Austrian • Keep additional costs (10–12% on cost-of-living index. The most top of the selling price) in mind: common practice is to provide for an increase in rent whenever the —— 3.5% tax on acquisition index increases by 3.5% above of real estate property the month of the beginning of the (Grunderwerbssteuer) lease. Contracts concluded via —— 1% for registration of the the Housing Service provide a property in your name in the figure of 5%. register (Grundbuch) —— 1% for registration of the Can I purchase a property? mortgage Staff of international organizations —— 1.5–3% lawyer’s and notary’s and nationals of the European fee (do negotiate) Union are permitted to buy property on the same terms as —— 3% to realtor. local citizens. Check list: What are typical conditions? • Check your financial situation Lease period • Consult with a financial adviser • Fixed term: a three-year you trust minimum is mandatory according to law. After the first • Compare mortgage rates year, the tenant has the right • Verify newspapers and websites to terminate the lease with for offers three months’ notice at the 7 end of a calendar month. Prior ). All other items are the termination by the owner is responsibility of the tenant. permitted only if legal grounds Please note: Contracts apply (e.g. non-payment of concluded via the Housing rent despite written reminder, Service provide reasonable improper use of property); maintenance clauses. • Indefinite: permanent duration, Advice: Before moving in, to be terminated by the tenant recommend checking with three months’ prior notice if the appliances (stove, at the end of a calendar month. fridge, dishwasher, washing Please note: the rent law is machine, heating system) are not applicable to single- and in good condition and have two-family houses. The terms been recently serviced. of the contract and the ABGB (Allgemeines Bürgerliches Where to live? Gesetzbuch — the general civil law) apply. In these Vienna has 23 districts, each instances, any lease period with its own history and and notice option is possible. characteristics. The districts spiral out from Stephansplatz with its Contracts concluded via the famous St. Stephan’s Housing Service include the (Stephansdom) — the heart of diplomatic clause, which grants the city. This makes orientation our clients better termination quite simple. Moreover, the possibilities than Austrian rental city’s excellent public transport law does in the event that a staff network — a -integrated member has to give up duty system of , bus, subway station Vienna. (U-Bahn) and suburban/regional Maintenance and repair train (S-Bahn) transport — is fast, efficient, reasonably priced and According to local custom, easy to use. the tenant is responsible for keeping the apartment and its For staff members moving to specified inventory in good Vienna with their families, the condition, including repair location of their children’s school of appliances if the damage will influence their choice of where is caused by the tenant. to live; we’ve included a section on international schools for your The owner is responsible for easy reference. serious damage (schwere Schäden) involving the substance Downtown: Districts 1–9 of the house (, facade, outside The inner city districts offer , lift, pipes inside the a mix of apartments, offices, 8 convenient, here you can survive well without a car.

shops, theatres, , galleries, bars, houses and restaurants. The 1st — : Districts 13–19 with its parks and — These residential districts — with is inside the Ringstrasse and apartments, family , parks the other districts surround it and pools — stretch to in sequence. Rents tend to be the vineyards and foothills of the high and parking expensive but, . Parking is easier, since public transport is very suburban life is quieter and there

9 is still a convenient infrastructure North/Northwest , of shops, restaurants and , taverns (Heurigen). , : Districts 21–22 East/Northeast Grossenzersdorf, Gerasdorf, Seyring, Deutsch Wagram South/Southeast , , , /Southwest , , Mödling These districts have modern apartments and houses with What does rental gardens and are in the vicinity of accommodation usually cost? the Vienna International Centre and the Vienna International Rent in Vienna varies according School. They are also close to to location (prime criteria), type of the , the Alte Donau and building, furnishing, availability of the , recreational common facilities and proximity to areas also very near the VIC. public transportation. Transdanubia is a vast area and while public transport is good, Do I have to pay tax? in the areas where it is less accessible a car is convenient. Where applicable, VAT must Parking is generally not a problem. be paid by all staff, with the exception of staff holding grade Neighbouring residential areas P5 and above. Vienna is easily accessible to the near-lying rural and What is Ablöse? villages, where various types of accommodation are available. This is a one-time payment to the Some are easy commutes by preceding tenant to compensate train; for others a car would for permanent, non-removable be more convenient. Rents are improvements. According to reasonable, there’s a village Austrian rental law, an Ablöse community atmosphere, and can be exacted to compensate surroundings are vineyards, for substantive upgrades made and forests. to a rental property, such as the

10 installation of a , , lease can be terminated after you heating system, or new electrical give written notice is provided wiring. Where stipulated in the by you three months in advance, lease, it is also common practice whereby the notice must arrive at for the preceding tenant to the landlord’s address by the last request an Ablöse in exchange day of the month. In the absence for being allowed to pass on of such a stipulation, written the terms of the existing rental notice to your landlord must contract to the successor, in be processed by the court and particular with regard to the served via judicial notice. amount of monthly rent. As the Ablöse can be substantial, staff Do I need separate insurance planning to remain for only a short time, (less than five years) coverage for my apartment are generally advised against and for my personal considering rental properties belongings? requiring an Ablöse. It is strongly recommended to conclude a household insurance Can the landlord terminate policy that covers theft, third my lease contract? party liability and damage caused by defective appliances such Your landlord must have a serious as fires from faulty electrical reason to terminate your lease devices or water damage contract. In essence, the two from washing machine or dish justifications to terminate would be: washer. It is also recommended • non-payment of rent (or at least to make sure that a clause is part of it) despite a written included specifically covering reminder; glass breakage of windows, stovetops, or fish aquariums. • inappropriate use of property — You can expect to pay E150–250 either the dwelling is being per year for such household physically destroyed or coverage. Please consult your neighbours complain of being insurance representative for severely and frequently disturbed. further details. It is helpful and cost effective to inquire about a What happens if I package deal to combine your have to move out household insurance with any earlier than expected? other insurance requirements you may have, such as accident, Please check the terms of the supplementary medical, legal notice clause in your lease. protection, and life insurance. Where expressly stipulated, a

11 Are internet, cable TV, the law applies to apartments in satellite TV available? older buildings (built before 1945). You are advised to check the Internet is available through terms of your lease. several providers. Cable is not available in all districts. Tenants of apartments cannot Some apartment buildings and be asked to repaint the property houses are equipped with a after the lease as long as common satellite dish serving all damage is within normal wear occupants, and the installation and tear. Please note that of a private dish requires this does not apply to rented the consent of all other co- houses. You are advised to owners living in the building. check the terms of your lease.

Who is responsible for If I want to buy property, changing the name on can you assist? the outside buzzer of the Our database provides apartment building? information on accommodation for Please consult the owner rent only. We strongly recommend or the property manager that sales agreements be verified (Hausverwalter). by a trusted lawyer or notary.

Can you recommend Is the VIC Housing Service an insurance company, free of charge for members a transport service, or of all organizations? storage facilities? All employees of VIC based organizations are entitled to Five local insurance companies use the VIC Housing Service are currently represented in at no charge. the VIC, Building F, 9th floor. We regret that we are not permitted to recommend or What is the consumer promote commercial firms, price index? but do ask your colleagues. CPI and HICP overview Do I have to repaint my The consumer price index (CPI) is apartment prior to moving? a measure of general price trends and of inflation in . The According to Austrian rental law harmonized index of consumer normal wear and tear must be prices (HICP) is the basis for taken into consideration. However a comparative measurement

12 of inflation in and 1060 – the 6th district () for evaluating the stability of 1070 – the 7th district () monetary values within the . In addition to its role 1080 – the 8th district () as a general indicator of inflation, 1090 – the 9th district () the CPI is used for the valorization of fixed amounts of money (e.g. 1100 – the 10th district () rents, living costs), and it also 1110 – the 11th district () provides the data on which wage and salary negotiations are based. 1120 – the 12th district () Both consumer price indices are 1130 – the 13th district () thus key indicators for Austrian and European data users. The 1140 – the 14th district () CPI has been subject to revisions 1150 – the 15th district since 1958, and was revised for (Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus) the eighth time at the beginning of 2011. The previous Consumer 1160 – the 16th district () Price Index 2005 was replaced by 1170 – the 17th district () a series based on 2010; the new index series is thus known as CPI 1180 – the 18th district (Währing) 2010. Appropriate chaining factors 1190 – the 19th district (Döbling) (available on the web site only in German) are used to continue 1200 – the 20th district previous indices. () 1210 – the 21st district What are the postal () codes and names of 1220 – the 22nd district the districts in Vienna? () 1010 – the 1st district 1230 – the 23rd district () (Innenstadt or ). 1300 – Vienna International Airport 1020 – the 2nd district 1400 – Vienna International Centre () (UNO-City, offices 1030 – the 3rd district in Vienna) (Landstraße) 1500 – Austrian United Nations 1040 – the 4th district () Peace-Keeping Forces 1050 – the 5th district ()

13 Glossary

Ablöse Heizung One-time, non-refundable Heating payment to the preceding tenant Immobilien to compensate for permanent, Real estate non-removable improvements. Immobilienbüro Anwalt (Rechtsanwalt) Real estate office Lawyer Kabinett /Bäder Small (8-12 meter square) Bathroom(s) Kaufvertrag Befristet Sales agreement Of limited duration Kaution Betriebskosten Deposit See Hausbetriebskosten Lage Ess (Speise) zimmer Location Makler Gasetagenheizung Real estate agent Individual gas central heating Marmor Gefördert Marble Subsidized Miete/Mietzins Hauptmiete Rent Lease agreement with owner of the house or apartment Mietwohnung Flat for rent Haus House/building Monatlich Monthly Hausbetriebskosten House maintenance costs (includes Nebenräume common running costs of the Additional (kitchen, building: water, sewage, garbage bathroom, WC, storage room, disposal, insurance, housekeeper (if utility room, , any), house administration, chimney sweeping, electricity for common Nettomietzins parts of the house, pest control, Basic rent (excluding house taxes and fees to ) maintenance costs and taxes)

14 Parkettboden Unbefristet Parquet floor Unlimited Provision Untermiete Commission Sublet, lease agreement with the Hauptmieter (the tenant who has Reihenhaus the right to sublet the apartment) Verfliest Schlafzimmer Tiled ( or walls) Wohnung Spannteppich Apartment Wall-to-wall carpeting Wohnzimmer/ Sparbuch Livingroom Savings book Zimmer Umsatzsteuer/Mehrwertsteuer Room VAT, value-added tax

15 Living in Vienna Helpful hints

Private short term • Bar Association, Lawyers accommodation https://www.rechtsanwaelte.at/ en/bar/regional-bars/vienna If you are new in Vienna and have not yet found an apartment for • Austrian Statistical Office the long term and are looking for (Cost Of Living Index) something more private than a https://www.statistik.at room, we recommend one of • The Page of the City of the furnished apartments that are Vienna available in all . https://www.wien.gv.at/english Several companies offer short- term accommodation. • Tenant’s Association https://mietervereinigung.at You will find several short-term options in the Housing Service • Electricity Supply database. https://www.wienenergie.at We are happy to support you in Public transport your quest to find appropriate Using public transport in Vienna is and affordable accommodation easy. This website will give you the in Vienna. details of getting from any area If you wish to access our data or address to another showing base and search for listings, exactly the possible modes of please send an email to transport: [email protected] • https://anachb.vor.at and we will provide you with a user account and a password. Other useful websites for public transport are: Useful links • www.wienerlinien.at Beyond finding accommodation, here are some links to websites • www.oebb.at for further information relevant to • www.viennaairport.com living in Vienna.

The contents of this brochure has been compiled for you by TGSS (Transport and General Support Section) and includes information that is valid at the time it was printed/posted. Information, regulations and web sites may change and we apologize for these inconveniences. We will do our upmost to keep the information up-to-date, any information that you find lacking or which can be improved please pass it on to us at the TGSS Customer Service Point at the VIC in A-0750 or per e-mail to [email protected]

16 Housing issues things to consider when 10 looking for accommodation 1. Your needs 2. Price range 3. Area (e.g. district, rural, urban) 4. Furnished or unfurnished accommodation 5. Duration of rent 6. Required amenities 7. Neighbourhood, infrastructure 8. Distances to VIC and schools 9. Parking space availability 10. Proximity to recreation areas – think about your off time. things you should look for 5 when renting accommodation 1. Historical or newly constructed building 2. Size/layout 3. Number of , 4. Security (e.g. safety , intercom, concierge) 5. Utilities and appliances needed (e.g. washing machine, air conditioning, dish washer). things that should not 3 be found in an apartment 1. Mould and moisture 2. Existing damage to surfaces, provided furniture, windows and doors 3. Negative overall environment. absolute rule 1 Before renting a place, find help to check the contents of the rental contract.

3 Emergency contact numbers Emergency numbers (calling from inside VIC) Public information and communication: VIC emergency number: Ext. 99 (UNOV Security) +43 (1) 2600-21273 VIC medical emergency: Ext. 22222 (VMS) Medical duty offi cer: +43 (669) 165-21580 Emergency numbers in Austria (from outside VIC) MTIT service desk: +43 (1) 2600-26150 : 133 SGIS service desk: +43 (1) 2600-22246 Ambulance: 144 Emergency Legitimation card authentication: Fire brigade: 122 +43 (1) 90115- 4411 General European emergency: 112 Other local emergency numbers in Vienna (from outside VIC) After hours service: 1455 Donauspital Vienna: 01-288-020 After hours medical service: 141 General (AKH): 01-404-00 Emergency dental service: +43 (1) 512-2078 Woman’s emergency hotline: +43 (1)-717-19 SPF Security control room (24/7): Children’s and adolescents’ emergency: 147 +43 (1) 2600-28655 Poisons information centre: +43 (1) 406-43-43 (Ext. 28655/7777 from inside complex) Psychiatric counselling in emergencies: +43 (1) 313-30 Emergency veterinary service: +43 (1) 531-16 Other IAEA offi ces Animal welfare helpline: +43 (1) 4000-8060 : +1 (212) 963-6010 [email protected] : +37 (7) 9797-7272 [email protected] Household emergencies : +41 (22) 917-3620 [email protected] Electricity emergency service: 0800-500-600 : +81 (3) 3234-7186 Vienna gas service emergency repairs hotline: Toronto: +1 (416) 928-9149 +43 (1) 401-28-88 Emergency 128 Emergency blocked toilets or domestic sewers: General support services +43 (1) 795-14-9300 Emergency during travel (24/7): Emergency water repair service: +43 (1) 599-590 +43 (1) 26060-3903 (UN Security duty room) Lock and key service: 0800-283-773 AMEX/AX-Travel Management: +43 (1) 2600-23040 Public lighting: repairs hotline: 0800 33 80 33 Travel visa emergency: +43 (699) 165-21255 Other To obtain information about an emergency: Vehicle breakdown assistance: www.unvienna.org/emergencyinfo ÖMTC: 120 Radiological emergency (24/7): ARBÖ: 123 +43 (699) 165-26660 (IEC) or [email protected] Vienna airport info: +43 (1) 70-700 Vienna train info: 517-17 IAEA Central Security Coordinator: +43 (699) 165-22011 Lost property service hotline: +43 (1) 4000-8091 IAEA Chief Information Security Offi cer: Taxi: +43 (1) 313-00; +43(1) 40-100; +43 (1) 60-160 +43 (699) 165-24629

18-05009E 9-2018

Transport and General Support Section (TGSS) Division of General Services, Department of Management

TGSS Customer Service Point +43-1-2600/25555 Intranet http://insite.iaea.org/tgss-services