A list of terms you’re likely to encounter, and their english equivalent:
| German Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aufteilungsplan | Partition Plan; a drawing showing the division of a building into separate units (apartments, cellars, etc.). |
| Grundbuchamt | Land Registry Office; the local authority that manages the land register. |
| Notar | Notary; the legal official required to certify property sales in Germany. |
| Makler | Real Estate Agent / Broker. |
| Verkäufer | Seller. |
| Grundbuchauszug | Land Registry Extract; an official document detailing ownership, debts, and rights associated with a property. |
| Grundriss | Floor Plan; a technical drawing showing the layout and dimensions of a room or apartment. |
| Bauträger | Property Developer; a company that buys land and builds/renovates properties to sell. |
| Bauakte | Building File; the historical folder containing all permits and technical drawings held by the building authority. |
| Bauamt | Building Authority; the government office responsible for construction permits. |
| Kaufvertragsentwurf | Draft Purchase Agreement; the preliminary version of the contract provided by the notary. |
| Teilungserklärung | Declaration of Division; the legal document that splits a property into individual units with specific co-ownership shares. |
| Nachträge | Addenda / Supplements; additions or changes to an existing legal document or contract. |
| Hausverwaltung | Property Management; the company responsible for managing the common property of an apartment complex. |
| Wohnflächenberechnung | Living Space Calculation; a formal calculation of the square meterage, usually required by banks for financing. |