Apartment handover: common issues and final checks

Document issues before handover

Walk through the empty apartment room by room. Record date, room and notable areas and compare them with the move-in report. Separate what needs cleaning, what looks like wear and what may be damage.

Common Defects in Kitchen and Bathroom

These rooms are often the biggest stumbling blocks during handover, as dirt and signs of wear can be most stubborn here.

Pay special attention to:

• Grease deposits on the extractor hood, oven, and hob.
• Limescale residue in shower cabins, on fittings, and the toilet.
• Discolored or moldy silicone joints.
• Clogged or poorly cleaned drains.

Walls, Floors, and Windows

In living areas too, there are typical defects that are often overlooked.

• Stains on walls (e.g., from furniture or water damage).
• Scratches or wear on parquet or laminate that exceed normal wear and tear.
• Unclean windows, window frames, and windowsills (inside and outside, if accessible).
• Residues of adhesive films or drill holes that have not been properly sealed.

General Areas and Details

Check agreed ancillary rooms, reachable radiators and exterior switch surfaces too. Do not work on electrical components. List missing items or keys separately from cleaning tasks.

Distinguish normal wear from possible damage

Zurich courts explain that tenants are not liable for normal wear from contractual use. For damage, factors include cause, age and residual value; not every mark creates a payment obligation. Document disputed points and seek tenancy advice when needed before acknowledging responsibility.

Cleaning does not replace repair

This guide supports your own planning. PUTZIO does not offer moving-out or end-of-tenancy cleaning or a handover guarantee. Only routine apartment cleaning can be booked; obtain a specific quote from another provider for a handover clean.

Clarify repairs and any follow-up cleaning separately. Sign a report only after understanding it, and explicitly record disagreements.