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Besenrein or deep clean – what do you owe?
German law only says the tenant has to return the flat when the tenancy ends (§546 of the Civil Code, BGB). Wear and tear from normal living isn’t the tenant’s responsibility (§538 BGB). How clean the flat must be is set by your lease.
“Besenrein” – literally “broom-clean” – is generally understood as: the flat is empty, swept, and coarse dirt is gone. A full end of tenancy clean goes further: windows, tiles, kitchen and bathroom are properly cleaned. Some leases require it, many don’t.
Be careful with blanket clauses: many renovation and cleaning clauses in German leases are invalid. If your landlord asks for more than seems right, have the lease checked by a tenants’ association (Mieterverein) or a tenancy lawyer before you pay or book anything.
| Besenrein | Full end of tenancy clean | |
|---|---|---|
| Flat emptied, bulky waste removed | Yes | Yes |
| Floors swept, coarse dirt removed | Yes | Yes |
| Floors mopped | Usually not required | Yes |
| Windows and frames cleaned | Only if heavily soiled | Yes |
| Kitchen and bathroom deep-cleaned, limescale removed | No | Yes |
Kitchen checklist
The kitchen gets the closest look at handover. Work from top to bottom.
- Wipe cupboards inside and out, clear crumbs from drawers
- Degrease the oven, trays and racks
- Clean the hob and extractor hood, wash or replace the grease filter
- Defrost and wipe the fridge, leave the door open to air
- Descale the sink and tap, make sure the drain runs freely
- Degrease the splashback and worktop
Bathroom and toilet checklist
Limescale and silicone joints cause most bathroom disputes.
- Clean and descale basin, shower, bath and toilet
- Descale taps and shower head
- Clean tiles and grout; report mould on silicone joints rather than painting over it
- Clean the mirror, mirror cabinet and shelves
- Clear hair out of the drains
- Wipe the ventilation grilles
Living areas, windows and storage checklist
Finish with the quick rooms – and the spots people forget.
- Vacuum floors and mop them where the surface allows
- Wipe skirting boards, doors, door frames and light switches
- Dust the radiators, including between the fins
- Clean windows, frames and sills inside and out
- Sweep the balcony or terrace, take your plants and pots
- Empty the cellar, attic storage and letterbox
- Remove your own fittings, lamps and wall plugs as the lease requires, or agree with the landlord
How does the flat handover work?
The handover report (Übergabeprotokoll) is your most important document. Walk through every room with the landlord or property manager and record the condition in writing. Only sign what you agree with, and keep a copy.
We hand over the 200+ furnished apartments we run in Berlin using exactly these kinds of checklists. What we’ve learned: photos and meter readings prevent most later arguments.
- Photograph every room on handover day, with the date
- Note and photograph meter readings for electricity, gas, water and heat cost allocators
- Count all keys – flat, front door, letterbox, cellar – and have them listed in the report
- Record existing damage and clarify who caused it
- Give your new address for the deposit and the service charge statement
- Cancel or transfer your electricity and gas contracts in time
What should be done before the clean?
Cleaning only makes sense once the flat is truly empty and every dusty job is finished. Get these out of the way first:
- Book a bulky-waste collection with Berlin’s city cleaning service (BSR) or take it to a recycling centre yourself
- Repair small damage you caused, such as a loose handle or split silicone
- Replace dead bulbs if your lease requires it
- Finish any painting or filling, if you have to redecorate
- Apply to the traffic authority (Straßenverkehrsbehörde) in good time for a no-parking zone for the removal van
When should the final clean happen?
The final clean comes last: after the furniture has gone and after any painting or repairs, ideally the day before handover. Clean earlier and you’ll be cleaning again after the move.
If you’re doing an empty two-room flat yourself, plan a full day rather than a few hours – especially with an oven and a limescaled bathroom. Book a cleaning company one to two weeks ahead; slots around the end of the month go fast.
Worth knowing: if you hire a company for the final clean and pay by bank transfer, it can count as a household service under §35a(2) of the Income Tax Act – 20% of the labour cost off your tax. This isn’t tax or legal advice; check with a tax adviser if unsure.