VIDEO: Difference between usable area and living space

Many tenants and even some landlords do not know what the difference between living space and usable area is. This is extremely important when calculating the square meters and the rent. Especially in rental apartments, the living space should be correctly measured and calculated, otherwise there could be disputes afterwards.

Living space and usable area - a simple difference

You can easily remember what the difference between usable area and living space is: Living space is the area in which you can actually live.

• Belong to living space living room, Bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and the hallway of the apartment.
• Storage rooms in the apartment are also referred to as living space.
• The landlord is also allowed to add up to 50% of the terrace or balcony to the living space. What to look for when using the rental contract to lock.


Usable area of ​​the balcony - the landlord can do that, the tenant can do that

The balcony belongs to the apartment, but is not considered a fully-fledged usable area. For this ...

Calculate the living space in the attic

In the case of an apartment without sloping ceilings, the entire floor area is usually calculated (as living space). In the attic it looks a little different because the area under the slopes cannot be fully used.

• You can easily calculate this by measuring the height: The areas in areas, their Ceiling height (in this case the slope) is between 1 and 2 meters, only half are calculated. If the floor space below an area with a ceiling height of 2 meters is 4 square meters, then you can only add 2 square meters to the living space.
• If the ceiling height is lower than 1 meter in an area, it must no longer be counted.

What is the usable area?

• The usable area refers to rooms and areas that can be used but not inhabited.
• The usable area includes basement rooms and attics, i.e. all parts of the house that you cannot live in (even if it would theoretically be possible to turn your bed down in the basement).
• This includes all rooms or Areas of an apartment or house that are not used for residential purposes but are subject to another use. These are z. B. Doctors' offices, schools, offices, storage rooms and other commercial spaces.
• Heating rooms and stairwells may not be added to the usable area or living space. You are traffic or Functional areas.

The difference between usable area and living space is therefore quite logical: Can you live in the rooms or just use them?