Glossary · Letting and yield
Rent index (Mietspiegel)
An overview of the locally customary comparative rents in a city, sorted by location, size, construction year and fittings.
Where it applies, it limits the rent a landlord may charge, often together with a rent cap. Not every city has one, and other countries use other benchmarks, such as reference rents. The limit usually refers to the net rent, not the gross rent shown in a listing.
Where it appears in the report
The rent index appears in the rent check, where the asked rent is compared with the legal cap, if city values exist.
Common questions about it
Does the rent index apply everywhere?
No. It applies only in cities that publish one, and other countries use their own benchmarks, such as reference rents.
Why does the listed rent not match the rent index?
Listings often state the gross rent including service charges. The rent index usually refers to the net rent.
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Last updated: 2026-09-15