Drill holes at move-out: must you fill them?
When drill holes count as normal use, when you have to fill them, and what to record on handover day.
Normal drill holes count as normal use under the lease. You only have to fill them if your lease has a valid clause on Schönheitsreparaturen (cosmetic repairs such as repainting). On handover day, record how many holes there are and where.
What you can drill holes for
You need wall plugs to furnish a flat normally. Holes for these things are part of living there.
- 1
Shelves and cupboards
You can fix shelves and cupboards to the wall, including wall cupboards and anti-tip fixings.
- 2
Lamps
You can drill for ceiling lamps and wall lights.
- 3
Pictures and mirrors
You can hang pictures and mirrors in the living rooms and the hallway.
- 4
In the bathroom
You can put up a mirror, a towel rail and a soap dispenser, even on tiles.
- 5
In the kitchen
You can fix wall units, shelves and holders to the wall.
- 6
Curtains and blinds
You can put up curtain rails and blinds at the windows.
Why this matters
Whether holes are normal or too many depends on how many there are, and you can only show that with the condition on handover day. The landlord has to prove the damage. Your own report shows what was really on the walls.
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many drill holes are allowed?
There is no fixed number of drill holes. The yardstick is what you need to furnish a flat normally, in relation to the size of the flat.
Do I have to fill holes in tiles or replace the tiles?
You do not have to replace tiles because of normal holes. Holes for a mirror or towel rail in the bathroom and kitchen are normal use under the lease.
Can the landlord deduct the cost of filling the holes from the Kaution?
For normal holes, the landlord can only deduct the cost if you are validly obliged to do Schönheitsreparaturen and did not do them. Otherwise the landlord cannot deduct it.
Also in this topic: Kaution withheld for the Nebenkostenabrechnung: how much is allowed?Getting your Kaution back from the HauptmieterMietkaution: how much is allowed?How to protect your Kaution and get all of it backAll guides: Deposit
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