Do I need to have the flat professionally cleaned for a broom-clean handover?

In principle, no professional final clean is required by law, only a broom-clean condition. However, if the tenancy agreement contains an express clause on a final clean, this can be required in addition. To be on the safe side, we recommend checking the agreement carefully and, if in doubt, planning a professional final clean.

How does broom-clean differ from a final clean?

Broom-clean merely means the rough removal of dirt and objects, whereas a final clean is considerably more extensive. It includes, for example, cleaning windows, grout, kitchen and bathroom down to the last detail. Many tenancy agreements clearly distinguish between the two terms, which is why a look at the agreement before moving out is important.

Which defects may the landlord not object to with a broom-clean handover?

With a purely broom-clean handover , the landlord cannot demand detailed cleaning of windows, grout or built-in cupboards. The tenant is not responsible for changes caused by use in line with the agreement, i.e. normal wear and tear (§ 538 BGB). Complaints are justified in the case of coarse dirt, rubbish left behind or forgotten furniture.

Do the windows have to be cleaned for a broom-clean flat?

No, a thorough window clean is not necessarily part of the broom-clean standard. It is enough if coarse dirt and dust have been removed. If you still want to be on the safe side, you can also have the windows cleaned as part of a professional clean, especially if the tenancy agreement expressly requires it.

Does the floor have to be mopped?

For a broom-clean handover , sweeping or vacuuming the floors is usually enough; mopping is not a requirement. With heavier soiling, mopping can still make sense to avoid discussions with the landlord. If the agreement provides for a final clean, that applies.

What happens if the flat is not handed over broom-clean?

If the flat is not broom-clean , the landlord can, after setting a deadline, commission a clean at the tenant's expense and offset it against the deposit. Claims for damages become time-barred six months after the return (§ 548 BGB). That is why you should document the condition with photos and a report.

Can the landlord also demand cosmetic repairs?

Cosmetic repairs (Schönheitsreparaturen) such as painting the walls are to be considered separately from the broom-clean condition and must be validly agreed in the tenancy agreement. Many clauses are invalid, for example if the flat was taken over unrenovated. More in the article Cosmetic repairs: what applies .

How long does it take to clean a broom-clean flat?

How long the sweeping takes depends on the size and condition of the flat – it is usually done quickly if the rooms really are empty. What tends to take time is forgotten boxes in the cellar or rubbish on the balcony. So plan a buffer between the move and the handover.

Do you also take care of cleaning the flat?

We clear out the flat and collect bulky waste through a house clearance; this is listed as an item in the fixed price . Please ask during the survey whether cleaning can also be offered – or hire a cleaning service. Call 01625978461.

Do the cellar and loft also have to be broom-clean?

Yes, if the cellar or loft is part of the rented property, these should also be handed over broom-clean . These areas are often forgotten at the handover, which can lead to discussions later. We recommend including all ancillary rooms in the checklist for the flat handover.

What is the best way to document the condition at the handover?

The most sensible approach is a joint handover report with photos of all the rooms, ideally on site with the landlord. This helps avoid later disputes about the broom-clean condition. Even with a long-distance move, we recommend not skipping this step and arranging an appointment in good time.

EMPTY AND SWEPT

Handing over a flat broom-clean

Q: What exactly does the term broom-clean mean?

Broom-clean means: all furniture, boxes and coarse dirt have been removed. According to the Federal Court of Justice, the obligation is limited to removing coarse dirt (VIII ZR 124/05). So it is usually enough to sweep or vacuum the floors and get rid of rubbish. A thorough clean is only owed if it has been validly agreed.

What broom-clean means legally, what it does not include and how to get through the handover without a dispute.

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HANDOVER WITHOUT A DISPUTE

Flat handover

Handing over broom-clean: coarse dirt out, handover report signed

Rights and obligations

Unsere Firma Empty rooms, swept floors, no rubbish in the cellar: as a rule, "broom-clean" asks no more than this of tenants.

A broom-clean flat handover means that the rooms are free of furniture, rubbish and coarse dirt when you hand over the keys. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has described it like this: broom-clean means removing coarse dirt. With Beste Umzug Unternehmen, the flat is cleared out on moving day and we take the packing material with us – after that, all that is left is the broom.

Anything beyond that is decided by the tenancy agreement: some agreements require a final clean or validly agreed cosmetic repairs (Schönheitsreparaturen). Check this before you move out. Whatever is not coming along, we collect as part of a private move or a house clearance. We give you the fixed price after the survey, and we are liable for damage under the German Commercial Code (HGB).

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FIXED PRICE AFTER A SURVEY

PERSONAL ADVICE

Cleared out for the flat handover

Move and clearance on one date

Instead of organising the move and the bulky waste separately, we put both on one date: what comes along goes to the new flat, the rest is collected. Call 01625978461 for no-obligation advice.

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

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EMPTY ROOMS

What you can count on at the handover

Nothing is left behind

So that you can hand over the flat broom-clean, we clear it out completely – including the cellar and loft if they are part of the rented property. We take boxes, film and packing material with us. We give you the price as a fixed price after the survey. We are based in Berlin and operate nationwide; destinations with their own page are listed under locations.

Everything out

Furniture, boxes and small items leave the flat completely. With a packing service, even the last wardrobe is empty in good time.

Bulky waste collected

Whatever is not coming along, we collect through a house clearance on the same day. That way, no old sofa is left standing in the cellar at the handover.

Cellar and loft

If a cellar or loft compartment belongs to the flat, it must also be empty and broom-clean. When clearing out, we keep all the ancillary rooms in mind.

Protecting floors

Blankets and edge protectors prevent scratches on floors and door frames when carrying things out. What is not damaged does not have to be discussed at the handover either.

CHECKLIST

Six points before the handover appointment

With these points, the flat is broom-clean and the handover well prepared – whether it is a small flat or a house with a cellar. Tick them off a few days before the appointment so there is time left for any remaining work.

Rooms empty

All furniture, boxes and personal belongings are out, except what is to stay according to the agreement. Clarify hooks and wall plugs with the landlord beforehand, too.

Floors swept

Sweeping or vacuuming is enough for broom-clean. Mopping heads off discussions about stains – but it is not mandatory.

Coarse dirt gone

Cobwebs, crumbs in cupboards, rubbish on the balcony: this counts as coarse dirt and should be gone by the handover. A deep clean is not required.

Ancillary rooms

Cellar, loft, bicycle room: whatever belongs to the rented property must also be empty. Forgotten boxes often lead to additional claims.

Check the agreement

A final clean or cosmetic repairs only apply if they have been validly agreed. A look at the tenancy agreement provides clarity.

Report and photos

Walk through all the rooms together, note the condition, take photos, write down the meter readings. Both parties sign the handover report.

SMALL LOADS

Remaining furniture by part load

When something is left after the move

A part load saves costs because empty runs are avoided: individual pieces of furniture, boxes or appliances travel on a route that is planned anyway. Well suited to remaining furniture after a long-distance move – provided the collection window falls before the handover appointment for the old flat.

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ALL ABOUT MOVING OUT

What
counts besides the handover

Notice, deposit, re-registration

Moving out involves more questions than cleaning: the notice period for the flat, re-registering at the registration office (Bürgeramt) within two weeks of moving in, and of course the broom-clean handover. The landlord's claims for damages become time-barred six months after the return (§ 548 BGB). With long-distance moves, too, the handover date should be fixed early. How to get your deposit back is explained in the article Getting your deposit back.

Coordinating dates

Moving day before the handover appointment, a buffer for remaining work: this keeps the private move stress-free – whether a family, a senior move with a household clearance or a student move out of a flat-share room.

Clearing out and collecting

With a packing service, careful furniture transport and a small transport for the last boxes, the flat is empty on time – including the cellar, loft and balcony.

For commercial premises too

Offices and shops are also handed over empty after an office move, company relocation or public authority move; individual leftovers travel by part load or with the furniture taxi.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the broom-clean handover

Answers on cleaning, the agreement and the handover report.

Broom-clean means: all furniture, boxes and coarse dirt have been removed. According to the Federal Court of Justice, the obligation is limited to removing coarse dirt (VIII ZR 124/05). So it is usually enough to sweep or vacuum the floors and get rid of rubbish. A thorough clean is only owed if it has been validly agreed.

What does broom-clean really mean?

The term broom-clean does not appear in the law, but the Federal Court of Justice has narrowed it down: the obligation to return the flat broom-clean is limited to removing coarse dirt (judgment of 28.06.2006, VIII ZR 124/05). So the flat must be empty, the floors swept, and rubbish and coarse dirt removed. Cleaning windows, scrubbing grout or removing limescale is not part of it.

Some tenancy agreements additionally require a final clean or cosmetic repairs – whether such clauses are valid depends on the individual case. Check the agreement and clarify anything unclear with the landlord in writing. You do not have to remove normal wear and tear from living in the flat as agreed (§ 538 BGB).

Checklist for the broom-clean flat handover

Before the handover appointment, all personal belongings, furniture and your own fixtures are removed, unless they are to remain in the flat under the agreement. Sweeping or vacuuming the floors and removing cobwebs and coarse crumbs in cupboards is standard for a broom-clean handover. Do not forget the cellar, loft and balcony if they are part of the rented property.

On the handover day, you walk through all the rooms with the landlord, note the meter readings and record the condition in a report with photos – you will find a template in the article handover report. We take care of clearing out as part of the private move.

Starting prices for the move

Moving costs vary with the scope. As a rule: 1-room flats from €344, 2-room flats from €599, 3-room flats from €909, 4-room flats from €1,279. For houses and villas we always prepare an individual quote, as the requirements can vary greatly. For long-distance moves we charge from €3.80/km. Book a free survey to get exact figures.

What makes moving out more or less expensive

Volume of household goods
Length of the route from €3.80/km
Floor level
Available lift
Parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) needed?
Additional services: furniture assembly, part load

Services around moving out and the handover

These building blocks help you get the flat empty on time.

Furniture transport: single items to the new flat. Furniture transport
House clearance: collecting bulky waste and leftovers. House clearance
Part load: remaining furniture on a shared route. Part load
Private move: the whole household, flat cleared out. Private move
Move with assembly: dismantling fixtures and wardrobes. Move with assembly
Company relocation: offices handed over empty. Company relocation

Handover after a long-distance move

If you are moving to another city, schedule the handover appointment on moving day or shortly afterwards if possible, so that you do not have to travel back specially. We are based in Berlin and operate nationwide; you will find destinations with their own page in the locations overview, and more under long-distance moves.

Tenancy Law & Housing

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 2, 2026

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