After You've Given Notice: Move-Out, Registration, and Handover

Notice is filed and the clock is running — but the actual move-out has a few organizational steps that are easy to underestimate. This guide focuses on the period between giving notice and handing over the keys, not on the termination itself.

Do you have to repaint before moving out?

That depends entirely on your lease — there's no general legal obligation to repaint. Clauses that impose rigid renovation schedules on you, or require painting regardless of the walls' actual condition, are frequently invalid under established German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) case law. According to the German Tenants' Association's estimate, more than half of all renovation clauses in existing leases are invalid, as mietrecht.com summarizes. So check your specific clause before spending time and money on renovation you may not actually owe — a quick check with a tenants' association can settle any doubt.

Registering your new address

Separately from tenancy law, registration law applies: you must register at your new address within two weeks of moving in (Section 17 Bundesmeldegesetz). A separate deregistration of your old address usually isn't needed for a move within Germany, since registering at the new address automatically supersedes the old one — but if you're moving abroad, you do need to formally deregister.

Preparing the handover properly

Schedule the final inspection with your landlord early. On handover day, you should:

Return all keys, including any duplicates you had cut
Record the meter readings for electricity, gas, and water
Photograph the condition of every room with timestamps
Insist on a handover protocol signed by both sides

A witness, ideally someone from a tenants' association, adds extra security if the handover turns contentious.

How does this connect to your deposit?

A clean handover protocol is your strongest protection for getting your deposit back in full. For the full termination process itself — the notice periods and what a legally sound termination letter must contain — see our guide on terminating a rental contract.