A little bit of effort now can save you a lot of hassle and money down the line. Make sure your deposit is safe from the start by getting ahead of things!

You just moved into your new flat in Berlin. You’ve signed the Wohnungsmietvertrag, picked up the keys, and everything looks fine - maybe even great. But before you settle in, there’s one thing every renter should do immediately: protect your deposit.

Start by documenting the apartment. Take clear photos or a quick video walkthrough - walls, ceilings, floors, windows, kitchen appliances. Don’t skip the small stuff: scratches, chipped tiles, water marks, loose handles. In Berlin, deposit disputes are common, and if you don’t document it now, it could be blamed on you later.

Check if your landlord provided a signed inventory (Übergabeprotokoll). If not, make your own and send it to them. You don’t need to overthink it - just clearly note what’s in the apartment and what condition it’s in.

Then, take a close look at your rental contract. What’s your responsibility as a tenant? What’s “normal wear and tear”? In Germany, leases can be strict - and not always easy to read.

You paid a deposit to protect the apartment. Now make sure you get it back - all of it.

If you're leaving your Berlin flat, it’s time to think about your deposit. In Germany, it can take months to get it back - and only if everything checks out. Here’s how to make sure that happens.

Start with a deep clean. It may sound basic, but cleaning is one of the most common reasons landlords hold back part of your deposit. Pay extra attention to the kitchen, bathroom, windows, oven, and fridge - these are all frequently inspected.

Fix the easy stuff. Patch nail holes, replace burnt-out bulbs, tighten cabinet handles. If something was already broken when you moved in and you documented it - great. If not, fixing it now avoids arguments.

Before you return the keys, do one last walkthrough and take fresh photos. Treat it like Day One again. With rent.ai, your photos are time-stamped and securely stored - so you can prove what was your responsibility and what wasn’t.

You’ve respected the space. Don’t let your deposit become a negotiation. Let rent.ai help you close the loop.