{"id":1277,"date":"2024-02-22T08:46:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T08:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.relock.app\/preparing-the-apartment-handover\/"},"modified":"2024-09-13T13:13:04","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T13:13:04","slug":"preparing-the-apartment-handover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.relock.app\/en\/preparing-the-apartment-handover\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for a smooth apartment handover"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shortly after the move, there is another important date in the calendar: the handover of your old apartment. However, this is not just about the formal “act” of handing over the keys. As a tenant, you are naturally interested in getting your rental deposit back. Read the following article to find out how this works best and what else you need to pay attention to when handing over your apartment!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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  1. Apartment handover: What you need to consider!<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Arrange a handover date<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Procedure for handing over the apartment<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Checklist for handing over the keys<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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    1. Apartment handover: what you need to consider!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

    In general you must hand over the apartment in the condition in which you took it over. If, for example, “structural changes” <\/strong>have been made to the apartment, the landlord can demand that these be reversed. <\/p>\n\n

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    According to Art. 260a CO, structural alterations made by the tenant are generally prohibited. This means that the written consent of the landlord must be obtained in advance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

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    What exactly falls under “structural changes”<\/strong> (renovating and wallpapering walls, new shutters, partition walls, new patio tiles or even just dowel holes) is not always clear. In general, this refers to “intervention in the fabric of the building”, but even this description is vague. Before you start preparing for the move, you should therefore definitely take a look at the \n rental agreement<\/a>\n<\/strong> where you will find the exact requirements for the handover. <\/p>\n\n

    Ideally, the landlord<\/strong> or landlady<\/strong> has already kept a handover protocol<\/strong> when the tenant takes over the apartment<\/strong>. This should list the condition of<\/strong> the apartment<\/strong> (including any damage from the previous tenant) as well as existing furniture and furnishings (e.g. kitchen utensils). The handover protocol<\/strong> is used by both the tenant<\/strong> and the landlord<\/strong> to check when moving out.<\/p>\n\n

    Hand over the apartment swept clean<\/h4>\n\n

    Most tenancy agreements stipulate a “swept clean handover” <\/strong>when moving out. Figuratively speaking, you can imagine an apartment having to be swept, i.e. coarse dirt<\/strong> has to be removed. <\/p>\n\n

    Conversely, this means that neither the windows nor the tiles in the bathroom need to be polished to a high gloss. However, it is important that the apartment is handed over completely vacated <\/strong>(except, of course, for any built-in furniture or items taken over by the tenant).<\/p>\n\n

    Minor blemishes due to normal wear and tear <\/strong> <\/strong>such as light scratches in the parquet do not need to be repaired. However, you should definitely repair any damage or defects caused by yourself due to “excessive wear and tear” (e.g. burn holes in the floor, broken masonry, mold in the bathroom due to infrequent ventilation). You should also repair obvious damage caused by pets (urine stains on the carpet, dirt marks on the walls).<\/p>\n\n

    If in doubt, it is better to rectify the defect before handing over the apartment, as landlords in Switzerland<\/strong> can be relatively picky. In the worst case, the rental deposit that you urgently need for your new apartment can be withheld.<\/p>\n\n

    Tip: <\/strong>If you have any uncertainties or disputes with your landlord, you can contact the \n tenants’ association<\/strong>\n<\/a> . It supports tenants in Switzerland with questions relating to tenancy law and helps with unjustified additional claims by the landlord.<\/p>\n\n

    Here is a brief summary of the to-do’ <\/strong>s before handover<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n

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    1. Clear out<\/strong> & declutter<\/strong> your home<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Clean<\/strong> the apartment (at least swept clean)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Repair self-inflicted damage<\/strong> or gross defects<\/strong> <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

      Good to know: <\/strong>Don’t have the time or inclination to clean your apartment yourself? Then book a professional cleaning \n cleaning service<\/strong>\n<\/a> with acceptance guarantee! \n Click here<\/strong>\n<\/a> to the request form.<\/p>\n\n

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      2. Agree a handover date<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

      The apartment handover<\/strong> usually takes place shortly after the move<\/strong> or shortly before the tenancy agreement<\/strong> expires, as the keys<\/strong> are also handed over during this process and the tenant<\/strong> therefore no longer has access to the apartment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

      The landlord or property manager must of course agree the date and time of the key handover<\/strong> with you, i.e. the date should be mutually agreed. <\/p>\n\n

      You should definitely allow enough time for clearing<\/strong> the apartment<\/strong> and the final cleaning<\/strong>. In plain language: the later the handover takes place, the more relaxed it is for you. Of course, you do not have to accept an early handover date<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

      From a purely legal point of view, the rented apartment<\/strong> must be handed over on the last day of the rental period<\/strong> at the latest. <\/p>\n\n

      Exceptions prove the rule: However, if this day falls on a weekend or a public holiday, the return will not take place until the next working day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

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      Plan your move<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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      3. Procedure: Handing over the apartement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

      In most cases, the keys are handed over<\/strong> between the tenant<\/strong> and the landlord<\/strong>. If one of the two is unable to attend, an authorized third party (e.g. a broker) can also act as representative. It is also permitted to call in a witness (e.g. parents or friends) who are present at the inspection. This can prevent possible disputes.<\/p>\n\n

      In some cases, the new tenant<\/strong> is already present at the handover. This can be an advantage, because sometimes the next tenant wants to take over remaining pieces of furniture or doesn’t mind a colorfully painted wall, saving you time and effort.<\/p>\n\n

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      Apartment acceptance report<\/h4>\n\n

      As with moving in, a final<\/strong> inspection report<\/strong> (or apartment handover report)<\/strong> should be kept for the security of both parties. <\/p>\n\n

      This should contain the following information<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n