The move-out inspection: how to leave the flat and how to do it

The last day of a tenancy tends to be the tensest moment in the whole relationship between tenant and landlord. Everything has gone reasonably well until then and then, suddenly, there is a mark on the floor, a few holes in the wall and an awkward conversation. The good news is that almost all of those arguments can be avoided with two things: preparing the move-out properly and doing the inspection together, calmly and in writing.

Emptying the flat means emptying it completely

It sounds obvious, but it is one of the most common complaints. Before the final visit, it is worth going through:

• Any furniture and appliances the tenant brought in, even if they are in good condition.
• The storage room, the garage, the terrace and the loft spaces, which are nearly always forgotten.
• The rubbish, bulky items included, which should not be left in the hallway or next to the bins.
• Things left behind "in case the next person finds them useful": better to ask first, and take away whatever the landlord does not want.

A proper clean, not a quick once-over

A clean home completely changes the tone of the visit. It is worth spending time on the kitchen (extractor hood, oven, seals, the inside of the cupboards), the bathroom (limescale, shower screen, silicone), windows, blinds and skirting boards, and the drains. If the budget allows, a professional clean often costs less than the argument that follows a bad one.

Fair wear and tear versus actual damage

Living in a home wears it down, and that is to be expected: tired paintwork, light marks from furniture, limescale on the taps. A broken pane of glass, a door off its hinges or a burnt worktop are a different matter. In between there is a grey area, and the best way through it is to fix the small things and speak up about the big ones.

The reasonable repairs before handing over the keys tend to be the same ones: filling drill holes and sanding them down, removing stickers, hooks and brackets, replacing blown bulbs, and gathering every key, remote and access card, copies included. If a wall was painted a different colour from the original, the sensible thing is to ask whether it stays that way or goes back to the original shade.

One honest note: a botched repair usually annoys people more than the original damage. If something broke, saying so before the visit stops it looking like an attempt to hide it.

The final walk-through, better done together

Ideally both parties are there, in daylight and without rushing. Going room by room, always in the same order, leaves very little space for improvisation.

• Photos of everything, of what is fine as well as what is questionable, not just the problems.
• A comparison with the photos or the inventory from move-in day, if they exist.
• Meter readings, written down for every utility.
• A count of the keys, remotes and cards being handed over.

Put it in writing

A simple document signed by both sides is worth more than any conversation recalled from memory. The date, the address, who was present, the condition room by room, the meter readings, the number of keys handed over and any issues found are enough. It can be signed on paper, two copies, or sent as a PDF by email with the photos attached and written agreement from both sides.

When you do not agree

There is nothing wrong with disagreeing on something. It helps to separate facts from interpretations: "there is a 20-centimetre mark on the living room wall" is one thing, "you have wrecked the flat" is another. It also helps to talk about real quotes or invoices rather than figures thrown out off the cuff, and to own up to your part when that is what is called for.

If a point cannot be settled, note it in the same document with both positions and agree on a time to come back to it. Nobody has to decide anything on the landing with suitcases in hand.

One last practical tip: take photos on the day you move in and on the day you move out, from the same spots and in similar light. Those two folders of images quietly settle almost everything that usually ends in disagreement.