In Germany, a "shell lease" is the colloquial English term (often found in expatriate forums like Reddit) for renting an apartment in an unfurnished or bare-bones condition. This is a common practice in the German rental market, where tenants are typically responsible for installing essential fixtures and doing initial decorating. Key Characteristics No Kitchen: A standard "shell" apartment usually does not come with a fitted kitchen (cabinets, appliances). The tenant must purchase and install their own kitchen, and often take it with them when they leave. No Flooring: The space may lack permanent flooring, requiring the tenant to install their preferred type (e.g., laminate, carpet). Minimal Fixtures: In extreme cases, previous tenants might even take light fixtures or wall switches.