Everything about your contract: inventory and deposit

You and your landlord must draw up a detailed inventory of the property together when the property is not yet occupied or within one month of occupation. This is required by law. It must be clearly written down what the floor covering looks like, what furniture is present, what the meter readings are, etc. The landlord can request a deposit to compensate for any damage. This is usually 1 or 2 months' rent excluding costs. At the end of the rental agreement, a new inventory must be drawn up to see whether the rented property is in the same condition as at the start of the rental period. If everything is in order, you will receive your deposit back within three months after you have left the room.

A place description is valid if it:

• is drawn up in the presence of both the tenant and the landlord (or their representatives);
• is personally dated and signed by both parties;
• provides sufficient details (a clause such as 'the property is in good condition and well maintained and both parties acknowledge this' is therefore not possible).

The inventory must be registered by the landlord together with the written rental contract and is free of charge.

If no entry and exit inventory have been drawn up, the rented property is presumed to be in the same condition at the end of the lease as it was received at the beginning of the lease. The burden of proof for rental damage then falls on the landlord.