Household
Record the apartment's condition when you move in
Overview
A signed report is your record for the day you leave.
The question you never knew to ask“What should I write down on the day I get the keys?”
Why it matters
When you move in, the landlord and you check the apartment together. A signed report and dated photos are your record of how you found it.
Does this apply to me?
Your circumstances: Canton Bern, B permit, mixed nationalities, family with children, moving with a partner, arriving soon
Because you are starting in temporary housing.
When?
On the day you get the keys.
What do I need?
- Your lease
- A phone for photos
What do I do next?
- Walk through every room at the handover and note every mark, crack and stain.
- Take dated photos.
- Report anything you find later in writing, promptly.
- Keep a copy of the signed report with your lease.
Official guidance
Read official guidance from the Federal Office for Housing:
Federal Office for Housing: renting in Switzerland (English guide, PDF)Read official guidance from the Swiss authorities' joint information site (federal, cantonal and communal):
ch.ch: rental agreements
Useful resources
Our guide: Furnishing an empty apartment, room by room