The word Zinshaus refers to a typically Austrian type of apartment building, most commonly found in Vienna. There are, however, Zinshäuser in other provincial capitals and urban areas, such as Graz, Linz, or Salzburg.
In its original meaning, Zinshaus refers, in Austria, to a building that was constructed prior to 1945. A Zinshaus is an apartment building consisting of several residential units which are let long-term for a monthly fee, i.e., the Zins or rent. It thus concerns older properties, some of which are even listed and were built solely for the purpose of earning rental income. That is why public buildings and town palaces are not referred to as Zinshäuser.
In today’s real estate industry, the term Zinshaus has increasingly come to refer to any building consisting of several apartments which are let for a monthly rent. Thus, the word Zinshaus is being used more and more frequently to refer to modern buildings as well. It should, however, be noted that this does not include subsidised housing complexes or cooperative apartments.