It's even worse in (some parts of?) Germany. Most apartments come without a kitchen. The law says that they have to provide a sink and a stove, and they provide the cheapest stove there is and a little pedestal sink. You're expected to ask the landlord to remove these and order a kitchen, with all of the cabinets, countertops, sink, refrigerator, washing machine, and stove. When you move, you either try to take it all apart and make it fit in your new apartment, or try to sell it to the next tenant. With first month's rent, 3 months security deposit, and a kitchen, moving in to an apartment is very expensive.