Got a new flat in Germany - Moving Checklist

Übergabeprotokoll, Anmeldung, Abmeldung, Kaution… all the words you hear after your apartment hunt is over. Below is a comprehensive checklist of tasks to consider after finding a new flat in Germany. All items are presented as checkboxes so that you can easily copy this list and track your status.

We commend you to check for every point whether it is applicable to you. Usually all of these things are relevant. The checklist is organized chronologically to follow the logical sequence that typically applies.

1. Cancel your existing German flat - Checklist

• Terminate the Rental Contract
  • Send a written notice (Kündigung) to your current landlord within the notice period (usually three months in Germany, unless otherwise specified in your contract). Include a paragraph in which you ask to pay the deposit back after the contract ends, and state your bank account to which the deposit should be sent. (Your landlord may legally keep the deposit to cover possible damages or outstanding bills until all cost calculations on the side of the landlord are done.) On a separate page, add a pre-filled Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung, and request to send it back to you. If you are communicating by email with your landlord, you can try to send the cancellation by email, but consider the email just as information - we recommend you to send it via mail as well to be legally safe.
  • Store a copy of the signed termination letter you have sent, or document it otherwise.
  • Receive and store confirmation from the landlord that they received your notice.
  • Set a reminder in your calendar to check if you received your Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung, e.g., set the reminder to 1 month after your moving-out date.
  • Check your contract for conditions regarding deposit (Kaution) return, and set a reminder appointment in your calendar to check if you received your deposit back, e.g., a reminder 5 months after your moving-out date. If you paid your rent properly and no damages will be noted during the handover, you can request that the landlord pays you back a large part of your deposit, e.g. 80%. Your landlord can keep some part of the deposit, but not all deposit when there is no plausible reason (no legal advice).
  • Contact your internet, telephone, and electricity (Strom) providers to either cancel or arrange a move to your new address. Most of the time it's better and simpler to cancel and get new utility providers in the new flat, it's up to you though.
• Arrange handover
  • Coordinate a date for a handover inspection with your current landlord
  • Check based on the condition of your flat and your contract if legally required repairs are necessary: for example repainting, or small repairs. We cannot give legal advice, but there are some legal rules to know: e.g., in many situations with a standard contract you have the right to just paint the walls of the flat in white color (depending on your contract) even if the flat was a different color before. Also, some small repairs might be only necessary if you have lived a minimum time period in your old flat. Please note that this is dynamic and depends on the condition of your flat, your contract, and of course as mentioned the time you lived in the flat.
  • Clarify with your landlord how you/them will coordinate appointments for potential new tenants to view the flat.

2. Prepare move to the new flat - Checklist

• Arrange renovations in your old flat
  • If needed, schedule painting or repairs that you have identified before (previous checklist).
  • Coordinate times with the new landlord if your landlord wants to hire repairman for repairs that are the responsibility of your landlord.
• Organize the move
  • Book a professional moving company in advance, or arrange friends/family. If you want professional help, check out our partners: At Moovick you can find moving companies and other useful services for your new flat (e.g. for a new fitted kitchen) with just a few clicks. It's pretty helpful if you want to have less stress around your move.
  • Parking at old apartment: Check if there's parking space for the moving car. If needed, arrange a temporary parking permit or no-parking zone (Halteverbotszone). Ask your moving company if they handle this, or if you need to contact a specialized company or local city administration (Ordnungsamt) for permits.
  • Parking at new apartment: Check if there's parking space for the moving car. Follow the same process for permits as with the old apartment if necessary.
• De-clutter
  • Sell or donate items you don't need
  • Organize disposal of bulky waste (old sofas or similar) - book a company or book a car sharing company such as MILES and dispose your waste together with friends or helpers.

Attention: Be cautious when booking bulky waste disposal companies online. In Berlin, there are known companies that agree on one price for waste removal, but when they arrive at your flat for pickup, they attempt to scam you by demanding triple the initially agreed price and may use threatening behavior if you refuse. Before booking, verify the company's trustworthiness and consider having a friend or relative present during the pickup as a witness.

3. Flat handover of the new flat - Checklist

• Preparation: Schedule a handover meeting with the new landlord. Make sure the handover appointment takes place inside the new flat. If your landlord wants to hand you the keys outside of the flat, you should be very alarmed because that can be an indicator for a scam. Your landlord will typically bring the Übergabeprotokoll, so you don't have to bring one. For your own security, bring 2-3 blank papers and a pen so you can note down damages or similar in case the landlord's Übergabeprotokoll doesn't have a blank space for that.
• Preparation: Ask the landlord to bring a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, which you will need for your Anmeldung. It's not unusual if you get the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung later. Ideally, bring a copy of the new contract with you, or have a PDF ready on your phone, so you can take a look in case any questions pop up.
• Documentation during handover:
  • Inspect the flat for damages or missing items; note them in the "Übergabeprotokoll"
  • Record meter readings: Stromzähler (electricity), Wasserzähler (water), and if applicable, Gaszähler (gas)
  • Ensure both you and the landlord sign the Übergabeprotokoll and each of you takes a copy. If you can't get a copy immediately, take a photo of the document with your mobile phone.
  • Confirm receipt of all keys mentioned in the contract (front door, mailbox, basement, etc.) within Übergabeprotokoll or a separate receipt.
• After handover:
  • Store the Übergabeprotokoll and personal notes safely, ideally create a digital copy.
  • Have the Übergabeprotokoll digitally accessible, you might need the meter readings soon when you book your utility providers for the new flat (except for utilities that are handled by the landlord through Nebenkosten).

4. Handover of old flat - checklist

This checklist is for the phase around the actual handover and assumes you have taken care of repairs etc. before - according to the previous checklists.

• Before handover
  • Clean the flat. It does not have to be professionally cleaned, unless required in your contract.
  • Take detailed photos to document the final condition, especially of areas that might cause discussion later.
  • Make sure you have restored any modified equipment: revert changed locks, doors, or other appliances to their original state. If you haven't modified anything, then nothing to do.
• Conducting the Handover Inspection
  • Preparation: Have all the keys ready that you received when you got the flat (front door, mailbox, basement, etc.)
  • Preparation: Have a printed copy of the contract with you, or a PDF on your mobile phone.
  • Documentation during handover:
    • Document the final condition with photos.
    • Note any potential damages in the Übergabeprotokoll.
    • Record utility meter readings.
    • Return all keys (including duplicates).
    • Obtain written confirmation of key return, inside the Übergabeprotokoll or in a separate receipt.
    • Ensure both you and the landlord sign the Übergabeprotokoll and each of you takes a copy. If you can't get a copy immediately, take a photo of the document with your mobile phone.
  • After handover:
    • Store all documentation safely.
    • Notify utility providers of final readings (unless handled through Nebenkosten).

5. When having the new flat - Checklist

• Set up utilities
  • Set up electricity contract
  • Set up internet contract
  • If applicable, set up gas contract
• Register at the Bürgeramt
  • Complete address registration (Anmeldung) at the Einwohnermeldeamt/Bürgeramt within two weeks. You can do it online or in person. It can be tricky to get an appointment, so take care to try as early as possible. They are usually very understanding if you are a few weeks late because of a tight appointment situation, but it's easy to drag it out way too long if you don't check for appointments regularly. Did you move to Berlin? For more information, especially if this is your first Anmeldung, please check the Anmeldung guides at allaboutberlin.com (there is also a very useful appointment finder tool)
  • Physical address registration: bring your ID, and landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Just in case you should take a copy of your rental contract (you are not generally required to show it).
  • Update ID card if necessary
• Update important addresses
  • Mail forwarding with Deutsche Post (Nachsendeauftrag). If you believe you might still get mail to your old address, make use of the Mail forwarding of Deutsche Post. It is very price-friendly and you can book it e.g. for 6 months.
  • Notify bank, insurance providers, employer, schools/universities.
  • Dog owners: Update dog tax (Hundesteuer) registration.
  • Register or transfer Rundfunkbeitrag (verify who pays in shared flats). They will usually reach out to you, so you can wait until you receive a mail from them. If you delay your Anmeldung by many months, be prepared to be contacted after your Anmeldung and asked to pay for all the months since you moved into the new apartment (unless you have paid all those months based on your previous Rundfunkbeitrag-registration).
  • Update online shopping platforms and subscriptions.
• Getting started in the new apartment building
  • Confirm who if responsible for smoke detector maintenance - you or the landlord. Check your new contract for this information to be sure. In some newer apartments the smoke detector might be remote-maintained automatically. Ask your landlord if you have no information in your rental contract.
  • If you are responsible for the smoke detector maintenance, create a yearly recurring appointment in you calendar.
  • Consider introducing yourself to immediate neighbors - a simple greeting will foster understanding if you will be noisy during the moving period or during first weeks (when installing furniture, and so on).
• Celebrate
  • You've done it. Host a housewarming party (Einweihungsparty) or simply relax and enjoy your new home!