You've finally found an apartment in Germany, and you're getting ready to move in. Here are a few things to consider that may help you keep your deposit.
Inspect the apartment before moving in
Before you move into an apartment make sure to see it in person first! It's important to see the condition of the place with your landlord or rental agency before moving in.
During this visit your landlord or agency should give you an Übergabeprotokoll (handover document), which is a written record of the state of the property as well as a list of any furnishings included in your contract. If they don't give you one, you can always bring your own, ImmobilenScout24 has a template you can use, (your landlord will also need to sign it).
Before you sign the handover document, have a thorough look around the property, compare it with what's listed and let the landlord know if you notice something that's not noted in the document, like a broken fixture, a crack in the sink, stains on the floor. Make sure they add these to the document before you sign. This will protect you when moving out from being charged for these pre-existing damages you didn't cause.
If you want to be extra thorough, you can also take photos of the apartment, and marks, cracks and stains you noticed so you can then compare these when you're moving out.
Another good idea is bringing a friend (especially if they speak German) along who can be your "witness" to oversee the handover.
Join a Mieterverein
A "Mieterverein" is a tenants' association or renters' union. They're groups that look out for tenants, offering help with legal advice, support, and representing you if you're facing issues with your landlord. Joining a Mieterverein can be beneficial for several reasons:
Legal Protection: They provide legal counsel and support, especially in disputes with landlords regarding rent increases, tenancy agreements, deposit issues, or maintenance problems.
Representation: In case of legal disputes, the association may represent members in court, saving time and potentially reducing legal expenses.
Negotiating Power: Collective strength allows the Mieterverein to negotiate better terms and conditions for their members with landlords or property management companies.
Community Support: Being part of a renters' community can provide emotional support, advice from experienced renters, and a sense of solidarity.
In disputes with your landlord that your liability insurance can't help with, your Mieterverien can step in.
Consider taking out legal insurance
Having legal insurance in place can be a valuable safety net, providing financial and legal support if you encounter any legal issues related to your rental agreement or tenancy in Germany. If you end up in a dispute with your landlord, whether it's about your deposit, unfair rent increases, or building maintenance issues, your legal insurance should provide legal assistance as well as coverage for lawyer fees, court costs, and other legal expenses.
In disputes with your landlord, such as withholding your deposit that your liability insurance can't always help with, your legal insurance can step in.