What happens to shared furniture when a flatmate moves out?

Shared furniture should be clearly assigned to one person beforehand or sold jointly. Our team helps assess which pieces are worth transporting and how a shared-flat move can go smoothly despite questions of ownership. That way moving day stays stress-free and organised for everyone involved.

How does the handover of the room to a new flatmate work?

Predecessor and successor inspect the room together and record its condition with photos; furniture that has been bought over is noted on a list. The keys are handed over against a signature, and receipt of the deposit share is confirmed. If the landlord is involved, for example with a joint tenancy agreement, their written consent to the change should be in place.

Do all flatmates need the same moving date?

No, a shared-flat move does not necessarily have to take place on one day. We are happy to coordinate several dates or use a joint part load to save costs. That way every flatmate stays flexible, and the process is still structured and stress-free.

How do you plan a long-distance move within a shared flat?

For a long-distance move , early planning is advisable, because the journey and time slot have to fit the successor's move-in. You will find details under Long-distance moves . We give you the fixed price after the survey, for the long route too.

What should you do if flatmates move out at different times?

In this case a part load is a good option: each flatmate's belongings travel together with other customers' orders, and they pay only for their own volume. This allows different move-out dates to be handled flexibly and cost-effectively, without anyone having to wait for the others.

How do we secure the return of the deposit in a shared-flat move?

What matters is thorough documentation of the condition when moving in and out: photos and a written handover report protect all flatmates against unjustified deductions. When flatmates change, the receipt for the deposit share that has been paid out is also part of this – it shows later who is entitled to which part.

Can several flatmates use a part load together?

Yes, a joint part load makes particular sense for shared flats with little total volume per person. Several flatmates share one transport and save considerably on costs, while each person is still invoiced individually.

How do we handle proof of ownership for furniture in the shared flat?

Ideally, every shared flat keeps a simple list of who brought which piece of furniture. In a shared-flat move , this makes assignment much easier and prevents disputes. Our team also labels all items clearly by room and owner.

What does moving out of a shared-flat room cost?

The fixed price depends on furniture volume, floor and distance. We give it to you after a free survey. When flatmates change, some of the furniture often stays behind for the successor – then the move-out becomes smaller and cheaper.

How is cover arranged for shared-flat moves?

Your belongings are covered by liability under the statutory rules of the HGB (§ 451e: €620 per m³), regardless of how many flatmates are involved. Additional insurance is available on request for valuable items. Report visible damage no later than the day after delivery, and hidden damage within 14 days (§ 451f HGB).

What are the advantages of a professional removal company for shared flats?

A removal company takes care of the date, carrying and transport – and when flatmates change, above all the coordination so that the old one is out before the new one arrives. We give you the fixed price after the survey, and the belongings are covered by liability under the HGB. That way costs and risks are clear from the start.

CHANGE OF FLATMATE

Change of flatmate: finding a successor and handing over the room

Q: How do you split the moving costs fairly in a shared flat?

The fairest split is by room size or number of people, combined with each flatmate's actual furniture volume. Thanks to our fixed price , everyone knows the total costs in advance and can settle them transparently among themselves. We recommend putting the split in writing to avoid later discussions within the shared flat.

How to find a successor for your room in a shared flat, when the landlord has to consent and how the room, keys and deposit share are handed over cleanly.

Get a quote

Our services

Customer service01625978461

Google · 119 reviews

(5,0/5)

Monday – Friday09:00 – 17:00 Uhr

Red box van on a paved square in front of trees

HANDING OVER THE ROOM

When someone leaves

A room becomes free – how to hand it over to the next person

A clean handover

Unsere Firma Change of flatmate in a shared flat: find a successor, involve the landlord, hand over the room, keys and deposit share.

When a flatmate moves out, the shared flat usually needs a successor quickly – otherwise the others end up paying the rent for the empty room. Whether the landlord has to consent to the change depends on the contract. For the move-out, we plan a small private move, matched to the successor's move-in. You will find more about our services under Private move.

After the survey, we give you a fixed price for the move-out – so the person leaving knows what they will pay. We label boxes and furniture clearly so that nothing is confused with what stays in the shared flat. Your belongings are covered by liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB) (§ 451e: €620 per m³), and additional insurance is available on request. On request, we also dismantle and reassemble shelves or beds – in the old room as well as the new one.

Sofa wrapped in stretch film, cushions and stacked moving boxes in an empty flat

50,-DISCOUNT

COORDINATE THE DATE

PERSONAL ADVICE

Coordinate move-out and move-in on the same day

One room out, one room in

Once the successor is confirmed, we coordinate the move-out and move-in – on the same day if you wish. After the survey, we give you a fixed price for your shared flat. Just call us on 01625978461 to ask for a date.

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

Two movers in red T-shirts lift a film-wrapped piece of furniture into a lorry

MOVE-OUT AND MOVE-IN

How we support a change of flatmate

Not a single day empty

When flatmates change, timing is everything: the old one should be out before the new one moves in – but not so early that the room stands empty for a month. We coordinate the move-out and move-in, transport only the belongings of the person leaving and leave everything that stays in the shared flat where it is. We give you the fixed price after the survey, and your belongings are covered by liability under the HGB. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive nationwide; you will find destinations with their own page under Locations.

Coordinated dates

Move-out in the morning, move-in in the afternoon – we plan both trips so that nobody runs into each other in the hallway and the room never stands empty.

Only your own things

We load only what belongs to the person leaving according to the list; furniture that has been bought over stays put and waits for the successor.

Assembly service

We dismantle the bed and wardrobe and reassemble them at the new place – so the room is free for the next flatmate.

Small transport

For a single room, a smaller vehicle is usually enough – which also fits into old-building streets with little parking space.

A CHANGE IN SIX STEPS

How a change of flatmate succeeds

A change of flatmate affects everyone: the one who leaves, the one who arrives and those who stay. These six steps lead from the first advert to the handover of the keys – with no empty room and no open bills.

Check the contract

Joint tenancy agreement, subletting or individual contract? This determines whether and how the landlord has to consent to the change.

Advertise early

As soon as the move-out date is set, advertise the room with photos, rent and move-in date – on flatshare portals and among your friends.

Choose together

Those who stay will live with the newcomer afterwards – they should have a say in the choice, not just the person leaving.

Involve the landlord

Introduce the new tenant, obtain consent in writing, amend the contract or get permission for subletting (§ 540 BGB).

Hand over the room

Inspect the room together, record its condition with photos, hand over the keys against a signature – this protects both sides.

Settle the money

The successor usually pays the deposit share and any transfer fee directly to the predecessor – confirm the amount and date in writing.

ONE ROOM MOVES OUT

Part load for the person moving out

Few belongings, small price

When flatmates change, only one room moves out, often with few belongings because furniture goes to the successor. A part load is then a good fit: the belongings travel with other orders.

Open cargo space of a red lorry with wrapped furniture, panels and boxes

SUCCESSION IN THE SHARED FLAT

From
the advert to the handover of the keys

A change with no empty room

This instalment of our series is about changing flatmates: who looks for the successor, when does the landlord have to consent, and how are the room, keys and deposit share handed over? According to the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), there is no general right to consent to a change of tenant, but in student shared flats the contract may be interpreted differently. You can read how to propose a replacement tenant in the article Proposing a replacement tenant; for long-distance moves, see Long-distance moves.

Finding a successor

An honest advert with photos, rent, move-in date and the rules of the shared flat attracts suitable applicants. Let those who stay have a say – they have to live with the new flatmate.

Coordinating move-out and move-in

With a packing service, careful furniture transport and coordinated times, the old flatmate moves out before the new one moves in – without a single empty day costing the shared flat money.

Small quantities, a short trip

If furniture stays behind for the successor against a transfer fee, a part load or a furniture taxi is often enough for the rest. We give you the price after the survey.

Mover in red workwear pushing a sack truck with a box towards a stack of boxes

MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

Google 5.0 (119 reviews)

Two movers in dungarees carry moving boxes through a bright flat

FAQ

Frequently asked questions on changing flatmates in a shared flat

Answers on finding a successor, landlord consent, handing over the room, the deposit share and the move.

The fairest split is by room size or number of people, combined with each flatmate's actual furniture volume. Thanks to our fixed price, everyone knows the total costs in advance and can settle them transparently among themselves. We recommend putting the split in writing to avoid later discussions within the shared flat.

Finding a successor and involving the landlord

When there is a change of flatmate, the shared flat usually looks for the successor itself: an advert on flatshare portals, photos, honest information about the rent and life in the flat, then a get-to-know-you meeting together. Those who stay should have a say, because they will be living with the newcomer afterwards.

Legally, a lot depends on the contract: with a joint tenancy agreement, the landlord has to consent to a change; according to the BGH, the shared flat has no general right to this, but for a student shared flat designed around changing tenants, the contract may be interpreted that way. With subletting, the main tenant needs the landlord's permission (§ 540 BGB). Obtain consent in writing before the newcomer moves in.

Handing over the room, keys and deposit share

On handover day, predecessor and successor inspect the room together and record its condition with photos; the keys are handed over against a signature. Furniture that has been bought over stays in the room, and the person leaving takes everything else.

The successor usually pays the deposit share directly to the predecessor, because the deposit held by the landlord remains in place. Record the amount, the date and any transfer fee in writing – then there will be no misunderstandings even years later. Plan the move of the person leaving so that it is completed before the successor moves in.

What moving out of a shared-flat room costs

Size of move	Price
1 room	from €354
2 rooms	from €579
3 rooms	from €905
4 rooms	from €1,344
House/villa	individual quote
Long-distance move	from €3.80/km

What the price for moving out of a room depends on

The basis of every calculation is the volume and the distance (from €3.80/km). This is supplemented by the floor, a lift and a possible no-parking zone. If required, we can also include furniture assembly and a part load in your quote.

Our services for a change of flatmate

Moving services for every need

When a single flatmate moves out, a small service is often enough.

Furniture transport – safe transport of your furniture
Part load – an economical alternative
Private move – for families and individuals
Company relocation – for offices of any size
Move with assembly – including assembly service
House clearance – fast and discreet

When the person moving out leaves the city

If the flatmate who is leaving moves far away, we plan their long-distance move to fit the successor's move-in. More in the locations overview and under Long-distance moves.

Guides & Tips

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 23, 2026

Back to Blog

Guides & Tips Moving Tips

Summer thunderstorms and heavy rain on moving day: furniture, boxes and safety