How should I deliver my rental property?

Landlords can impose strict requirements on the tenant regarding the delivery of a rental property. It is wise to prepare well for this so that you will not be faced with surprises such as unexpected costs. The completion of a rental property consists of several phases: the termination of the rental agreement, the preliminary inspection and the final inspection. For each phase, we explain what to expect and what you can do to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible.

Steps for delivering a rental property

1. Cancel the lease

The first step is to terminate your lease. To do this, contact your landlord. Clearly state when you want to terminate. Always do this by e-mail so that you have everything in black and white and there can be no confusion. Always check your rental contract to see if there are any special termination conditions applicable.

Tip: Cancel the lease well in advance. It is not unusual to have 1 or 2 months notice attached to the lease.

2. Pre-inspection

Usually the landlord will contact you shortly after you give notice to schedule a pre-inspection. A pre-inspection involves reviewing the current condition of the property. This is very nice because after this you will know if there are any defects and if any repairs or maintenance needs to be done. The home does not have to be empty at this time.

Does the landlord not contact you automatically? Then call them yourself to schedule the pre-inspection. A pre-inspection is very nice because then you know exactly what you still need to do.

3. Final inspection

Usually a few weeks after the preliminary inspection comes the final inspection. This involves checking that the home is delivered in agreed-upon condition. Consider the following items before the final inspection:

• Make sure all belongings are out of the house. Unless arrangements have been made with the new tenant for taking over belongings
• Make sure the house or apartment is clean. Often the term broom clean is used, That means the property is free of trash, personal belongings and is in an acceptable state of cleanliness. Read more about broom clean delivery here.
• Repair minor defects as needed. For example, holes in the wall from hanging posters or paintings

Please note that depreciation and moderate signs of use in upholstered apartments may not be included in the security deposit. This is called wear and tear due to normal use. What may be charged is, for example, repair of damage and cleaning costs.

Rental property delivery requirements

When delivering a rental property, there are always some standard requirements. There may also be additional requirements. These can differ, so always discuss this well with the landlord during the pre-inspection.

Standard requirements

Standard requirements for delivering a home often include:

• Removal of all personal items
• Thorough cleaning of the entire house
• Repair minor damages if present (e.g. nail holes in the wall)

Common additional requirements

There may be additional requirements imposed by the landlord. These may include:

• Replacing lamps or curtains, for example, that you have ever replaced yourself
• Removal of the floor, if you put it in yourself
• Extra thorough cleaning of plumbing and removal of limescale deposits

Unexpected costs after final inspection of rental property

If, in the landlord’s opinion, you have not met the completion requirements, unexpected costs may come your way. The landlord may charge you for repairs or cleaning costs, for example. This is of course not pleasant and you want to avoid this, which is why it is wise to make clear agreements and work thoroughly.

Tips to avoid unexpected costs

No one is waiting for extra costs, of course. Therefore, it is wise to do as much as possible to avoid them. Here are some tips to avoid extra costs:

• Perform minor repairs yourself. This will prevent the landlord from hiring a professional whose costs will be passed on to you.
• Document everything well. Often an inspection report is made at the pre-inspection and final inspection. Make sure this is sent to you so you both know the condition of the home.
• Also document everything well when, for example, the next tenant takes over certain things, that way there are no misunderstandings.
• Be sure to start clearing and cleaning well in advance. These tasks often take more time than anticipated. This can result in the home not being delivered in good condition.

Frequently asked questions delivering rental property