#Moving Tips

Why the children's room goes into the lorry last so that it comes out first at the destination – and what must be ready on the first night: bed, light, anti-tip safety.

Supporting your parents' move: power of attorney for notices and contracts, care service and medication on moving day, registration in a care home, pets and jewellery.

Changing school after a move: contact the new school early, have the report and registration certificate ready, move in the holidays, set up the child's room first.

Moving an aquarium and terrarium: never carry a filled tank, animals travel in your own car, keep the filter bacteria alive – no removal company is liable for live animals.

Moving with a cat: get it used to the carrier beforehand, a closed room on moving day, the journey in your own car and settling in room by room.

Moving with a dog: the dog travels in your own car, not the lorry; update the dog register and dog tax, liability insurance, EU pet passport and calm first days.

Disputes at the flat handover: normal wear and tear (§ 538 BGB), cosmetic repairs, the deposit, and the six-month limitation on landlord claims (§ 548 BGB).

Moving with a baby: register within two weeks, new address to the Familienkasse and parental allowance office, apply early for a Kita voucher, dismantle the nursery last.

Moving with children: explain early, let them pack their own boxes, arrange childcare on moving day, set up the child's room first and sort out nursery and school in time.

Per the BGH (VIII ZR 124/05), broom-clean means removing coarse dirt – no windows, no grout. What the tenancy agreement can change and why the handover report counts.

With notice for own use, the landlord gives 3, 6 or 9 months' notice (§ 573c BGB). Object in text form up to two months before the tenancy ends – and plan the move alongside.

Rental deposit under § 551 BGB: at most three months’ net rent, paid in three instalments, held separately with interest. When it comes back and what may be deducted.