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Handover protocol (Übergabeprotokoll)
When you take a flat — and when you hand it back — a handover protocol records its condition. It's the single document that decides most deposit disputes. Here's what it should contain, the law that protects you, and a fillable protocol you can complete and copy. We explain and organise your notes; we don't judge what counts as damage.
What it is
A handover protocol (Übergabeprotokoll) is a record of the flat's condition at handover. The same standard form is used both when you move in (vor dem Einzug) and when you move out (vor dem Auszug). Source ↗
What to record
A complete protocol records the condition of each room and any existing defects (Mängel), the meter numbers and readings for electricity, gas and water (photograph them if you can), and the number of keys handed over. Source ↗
Signing and keeping it
The protocol is dated and signed by both the tenant and the landlord (an optional witness can also sign). Each side keeps a copy. Source ↗
Don't sign until you've checked every room and received the keys — and keep your own signed copy. It's your evidence, not just the landlord's.
You don't pay for normal wear
By law you are not responsible for normal wear and tear — changes or deterioration caused by using the flat as agreed in the contract. A move-in protocol documents the starting condition, so at move-out you can show which marks were already there or are simply normal use, not damage you must pay for. Source ↗
The deposit this protects is capped by law — see the rental application helper →
Fill in your protocol
Complete what applies and copy the German text below to print or email. It runs entirely in your browser — nothing is saved or sent. A blank field stays blank for you and the landlord to complete by hand.
Your protocol
WOHNUNGSÜBERGABE-PROTOKOLL vor dem Einzug (move-in) Name der/des Mieter(s): ________________________ Wohnung (Straße und Hausnummer): ________________________ Datum der Besichtigung: ________________________ Zustand der Räume / festgestellte Mängel: 1. Diele/Flur — ________________________ 2. Küche — ________________________ 3. Bad/WC — ________________________ 4. Wohnzimmer — ________________________ 5. Balkon — ________________________ 6. Schlafzimmer — ________________________ 7. Kinderzimmer — ________________________ 8. Keller — ________________________ 9. Weitere Räume — ________________________ 10. Garage — ________________________ Zählerstände: Strom — Zählernummer: ________________________ Stand: ________________________ Gas (soweit vorhanden) — Zählernummer: ________________________ Stand: ________________________ Wasser (soweit vorhanden) — Zählernummer: ________________________ Stand: ________________________ Übergebene Wohnungsschlüssel (Anzahl): ________________________ Bemerkungen – Sonstiges: ________________________ Dieses Protokoll wurde von beiden Seiten geprüft und unterschrieben. Datum: ________________________ Vermieter (Unterschrift): ____________________________ Mieter (Unterschrift): ____________________________ Zeuge/Zeugin (Name, Unterschrift): ____________________________
Handover terms, translated
The words you'll meet on a protocol and around a handover — what each means, not a judgement on your flat.
- Übergabeprotokoll
- Handover protocol — the condition record
- Wohnungsübergabe
- The handover of the flat itself
- Mängel
- Defects — existing faults you record
- Zählerstand
- Meter reading (electricity, gas, water)
- Kaution / Mietsicherheit
- The deposit the protocol protects
- vertragsgemäße Abnutzung
- Normal wear from agreed use — not your liability
- Schönheitsreparaturen
- Cosmetic repairs — a separate, often-disputed clause
- besenrein
- 'Broom-clean' — a common move-out condition
Where we stop — and you get advice
Whether a specific mark is normal wear, whether a Schönheitsreparaturen clause is valid, or a deposit that isn't returned — those are tenancy-law questions we don't answer. A tenants' association (Mieterverein) or the Verbraucherzentrale can help.
Earlier steps in the housing chain:
An automated assistant that organizes your information and applies publicly documented rules. Sources for each rule are cited.
This is not legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice, and not an official recognition, filing, or application. For decisions with legal or financial consequences, consult a qualified professional.
Rules last verified: 2026-07-14.