Pre-inspection before moving out: what it gives you and what counts
How to use the pre-inspection (Vorabnahme), a walk-through a few weeks before you move out, without committing yourself to anything.
A pre-inspection is voluntary, but it is worth doing because you learn early what the landlord expects. Get the list in writing, sign nothing as final and record the flat's condition on the same day.
How to use the pre-inspection
These steps turn the pre-inspection into an advantage for you.
- 1
Agree a date
Pick a date two to four weeks before you move out, at a time that suits you.
- 2
Get the list in writing
Ask for every point with its room and exact spot, by email or on paper.
- 3
Check every point
Ask of each point: is it damage, normal wear, or repainting without a valid clause?
- 4
Sign nothing as final
Do not sign an acceptance, or a promise to do something you do not owe.
- 5
Record the condition
Record every room on the same day, including the points the landlord names.
- 6
Book the handover
Set the date for the actual handover straight away.
Why this matters
The pre-inspection gives you time to fix things cheaply yourself. But the handover is what decides. At the handover, the only thing that helps you is what you can show about the flat's condition.
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to agree to a pre-inspection?
No, you do not have to agree to a pre-inspection. It is usually worth it, though, because you learn early what the landlord wants to object to at the handover.
Is a pre-inspection record binding?
What you promise in a pre-inspection record, such as repainting, can count as an agreement. So only sign what you really owe, and sign nothing as a final acceptance.
Can the landlord raise new points after the pre-inspection?
Yes, the landlord can still raise new points. What counts is the flat's condition when you return it, and the landlord can record anything they see at that point.
Also in this topic: WG room: getting the Übergabeprotokoll rightWhat to photograph when you move in: the checklistFlat viewings: what tenants have to allowHanding back a flat without the landlord: model letterAll guides: Handover & viewings
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