Document the condition of each room, visible belongings, meters, keys and access before anything is moved. Do not assume that items may be disposed of merely because the tenancy appears to have ended; obtain German legal advice for the specific case.
A landlord living abroad often needs two things at once: a reliable picture of the flat and a fast route back to a usable property. Acting too quickly can create evidence and ownership problems. Neutral documentation preserves the starting point while the legal and practical next steps are clarified.
1. Record the property before changing it
Start with entrance, locking situation and room overviews. Then document larger groups of visible belongings, obvious exceptions, meter readings and the keys actually available. Avoid close-up photographs of personal documents unless the purpose specifically requires them.
Use descriptions such as 'wardrobe visible in bedroom' rather than assumptions about ownership, condition or disposal value.
- entrance and lock situation
- each room from consistent viewpoints
- larger groups of belongings
- visible condition without assigning a cause
- meter readings and key count
2. Do not turn a documentation visit into an eviction or clearance
A person asked to take photographs should not improvise removal, disposal or entry into areas that were not authorised. The scope of the visit should state what may be opened, moved or left untouched.
Questions about possession, storage duties, deadlines and disposal depend on the individual circumstances. They should be reviewed by a lawyer qualified in German tenancy law when necessary.
3. Use the report to request comparable quotations
Once the visible volume and excluded areas are clear, clearance or cleaning companies can quote against a defined scope. External providers should identify their own price, contract and intended end condition.
If a provider needs to inspect the flat, Sachnah can coordinate a time-limited access appointment and document the key handover.
4. Keep evidence and operational files separate
Retain the original photographs and an unambiguous date reference. A working summary is useful for contractors, but sensitive files should only be shared with recipients who need them for the agreed purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Can Sachnah decide whether belongings are abandoned?
No. We document the visible situation and the instruction received; legal classification and disposal decisions remain with the authorised party and their advisers.
Can you let a clearance company into the flat?
Yes, as a separately agreed access appointment once authority, participants, areas and the key route are clear.
Will you store keys permanently?
No. Sachnah is not a property manager or security service. Any temporary key handover is limited to the agreed appointment and documented.
This guide provides general practical information. It is not legal, tax or valuation advice and cannot assess an individual case. Sachnah documents and coordinates within an agreed instruction; authorised parties and qualified advisers make legal, ownership, disposal and transaction decisions.