Tenant turnover: process and deadlines at a glance
How property managers plan a change of tenant from pre-inspection to re-letting without missing a deadline.
At a tenant change four deadlines run at once, from different start dates. Book a pre-inspection early and record the condition right at the return.
Which steps belong to a tenant turnover?
The difficulty is the deadlines running in parallel. A fixed process makes sure none of them gets lost.
- 1
Pre-inspection
A few weeks before move-out, so you can hire trades before the move-out date.
- 2
Record the return
Capture the condition right at the return, room by room.
- 3
Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
Within two weeks of the move-in, otherwise the tenant cannot register their address.
- 4
Claim damage
Claims for damage become time-barred six months after the return, whenever the damage is noticed.
- 5
Kaution statement
Case law usually allows three to six months after the tenancy ends.
- 6
Operating costs
Until the statement arrives within twelve months, only a reasonable part of the Kaution may be kept.
Why this matters
Under § 548 Abs. 1 BGB, claims for damage become time-barred six months after the return, whenever the damage is noticed. That is why the condition has to be recorded right at the return.
General information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
By when must the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung be issued?
Within two weeks of the move-in (§ 19 BMG). Without it the tenant cannot register their address.
How long may the Kaution be withheld after move-out?
§ 551 BGB sets no fixed period, but case law usually allows three to six months after the tenancy ends. If the operating-cost statement is still open, only a reasonable part may be kept for longer.
When should the pre-inspection take place?
A few weeks before move-out. Then you can hire trades before the move-out date and record the condition before the next tenant moves in.
Also in this topic: Übergabeprotokoll for property managers: the standardDigitising the handover: what managers actually gain
Next change of tenant coming up?
Capture move-out and move-in in every unit with the same process. BildProof walks room by room through the flat and creates a condition report before the next tenant moves in.
See BildProof for property managers