A handover protocol simplifies moving in and out

Moving into a new office is exciting. However, undiscovered defects in the rental property can quickly dampen your mood or even entail hidden costs. Therefore, it is worth creating a handover protocol.

What is a handover protocol?

A handover protocol, also colloquially known as an acceptance protocol, documents the condition of a rental object at a specific point in time and simplifies its return. Usually, this is the time of handover and return of the rental object to the tenant or landlord. The protocol records the condition of the rental object and what defects exist. This way, after the end of the lease term, it can be traced which defects were caused by the tenant and which were already present. The handover protocol therefore represents security for both parties.

What information belongs in a handover protocol?

Since there is no legal basis for creating such a protocol, there are no specific requirements. Generally, all areas relating to the rental object should be noted. Imminent changes or repairs to the rental object should also be recorded. Furthermore, it should be mentioned how the landlord provides the tenant access to the premises and how many keys/badges etc. the tenant receives for this purpose. Basically, the rule for a handover protocol is: the more, the better.

Where can I find a handover protocol?

There are several templates on the Internet. However, these must be adapted to the specific situation. Therefore, we have created a template and make it available to you. You can view and download the protocol at the following link.