When moving out of a rental apartment, the tenants are often looking forward to their new home. However, at the end of the tenancy, duties can also face the outstanding tenants, since the landlords want to have their apartment back in the best possible condition. The exact regulations on this are stated in the rental agreement, but it is advisable to check them again.
Liability for damage: responsibilities and repair obligations
When moving out, tenants have to pay for all damage that occurred willfully, explains the tenant aid association on its website. This includes all damage that goes beyond the contractually agreed use. Inka-Marie Storm from the owner association Haus & Grund Germany also told web.de that this includes, for example, deep scratches in the parquet, red wine stains on the carpet or water edges from the flower casting. According to Storm, small scratch traces along the walking paths are due to normal wear and tear and are already covered by the rent.
The expert continues that colorful walls are considered to be damaged. This assessment is also confirmed by the tenant aid association, which adds that landlords can insist that the corresponding areas are covered in a neutral color. Larger holes must also be repaired according to the tenant help. This may also include dowel holes, as Storm explains. She refers to a judgment of the Wuppertal District Court, which sees such holes as damage, regardless of its number in the rental property. However, Storm also emphasizes that other judges have already judged differently with a small number of dowelöchers.
The focus on clearance obligations and beauty repairs
The website moves.de also explains that the apartment must be completely cleared at the handover date, provided no other agreement has been made with the landlords. If there is no special agreement, the tenants are responsible for removing all installations and conversions. This includes, for example, installation kitchens and parquet floors laid by the tenant, as Storm emphasizes to Web.de. If this is not done, landlords can invoice the tenants the costs for the disposal of these left -wing objects.
The portal adds that there is often talk of beauty repairs in rental contracts. As mentioned before, this includes painting the walls and ceilings, depending on the rental property, the painting of floors, windows and doors as well as radiators and heating pipes. In addition, according to movement.de, the removal of cracks in the plaster and the already mentioned closure of dowel holes could be part of it. However, Anja Franz from the tenant association Munich to Web.de points out that this work only has to be carried out if they have been expressly agreed in the rental agreement. Franz adds that if there is a clause on the tenant’s renovation obligations, this should be carefully checked in the contract, since even slight deviations can affect their effectiveness.
Protocol: to be well prepared and keep an overview
The Portal moving.de gives the tip to prepare well for the day of handing over the apartment. According to the article, this includes notes, pen and a camera in order to be able to document the condition of the apartment at the time of the appointment. In the article it is also recommended to make a list of the current stalls of the electricity meter. In addition, the downcoming tenants should have all the keys, including apartment keys, front door key, mailbox key as well as basement and attic keys. Finally, a pre -printed handover protocol is recommended, as Franz also emphasizes to Web.de. Ideally, such a protocol should be created when moving in, in order to document all potential deviations compared to the condition of the rental object when moving out.
Editor finance.net