Einzugsprotokoll: documenting your flat properly
What to write down and photograph on move-in day, so your Einzugsprotokoll (move-in record) protects your Kaution (deposit).
A good Einzugsprotokoll records every room, existing damage, the meter readings and the keys. Take your own photos as well, and keep the signed record.
What goes into the Einzugsprotokoll?
You do not need a perfect list. What matters is that the flat's condition is recorded in a way others can follow.
- 1
Every room
Record the walls, floor, ceiling, doors, windows, radiators and built-in fittings of each room.
- 2
Existing damage
Note damage that is already there, for example scratches, drill holes, stains, cracks or damaged tiles.
- 3
Meter readings
Write down the readings for electricity, water and gas, where there are meters.
- 4
Keys
Note how many keys you were given and what kind.
- 5
Your own photos
Photograph existing damage and the condition of the flat yourself.
- 6
Both signatures
You and the landlord should both check the record, sign it and keep a copy.
Why this matters
Under § 538 BGB, tenants are not liable for normal wear from using the flat as the lease allows. That is why the condition of the flat at the start of the tenancy can be important later.
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Einzugsprotokoll mandatory?
An Einzugsprotokoll is not required by law. But it is the most important record of the flat's condition at move-in, for both sides. Insist that one is made and that you both sign it.
What happens if I move in without a record?
Without a move-in record, you have no complete proof to protect your Kaution when you move out. It often comes down to your word against the landlord's. Get the record done in the first few days, and take your own photos of every room straight away.
Are photos enough as evidence?
Photos are ordinary evidence, and a court is free to decide how much weight they carry. Photos of the whole flat, from move-in and move-out, together with a signed record, count the most.
Also in this topic: May I take photos at the flat handover?How long to keep photos and the Übergabeprotokoll?Every deadline at move-in and move-out: tenant tableAll guides: Handover & viewings
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