Move-In Cleaning Checklist for Berlin Expat Tenants (2025)

Kids, moving day is not the moment to freestyle. Just like nosy aunts, Berlin landlords notice everything, and future you will thank present you for setting a clear baseline on day one. 

A tidy besenrein start and a signed Übergabeprotokoll with photos attached protect your Kaution and your nerves. Keep it simple: clean what’s reasonable, document what isn’t, and keep receipts.

First-Hour Moving Essentials (Before The Boxes Explode)

Think of this as your “seatbelt check” for the flat: fast, simple, and deposit-saving.

☐ Photograph each room, corners, ceilings, and all appliances (timestamps on)
☐ Count and photograph every key (flat, cellar, mailbox, garage if any)
☐ Record electricity, gas, and water meters (with timestamped photos)
☐ Sweep and mop all floors to besenrein standard (no debris, no sticky spots)
☐ Wipe fridge seals; clean kitchen sink & tap (quick win against grime)
☐ Descale bathroom taps & showerhead (Berlin’s hard water = limescale)
☐ Test smoke detectors, radiators, and a few outlets with a phone charger
☐ Complete and sign the Übergabeprotokoll with your landlord (two copies, photo links attached)

Room-By-Room Move-In Checklist (To Claim Your Space)

Walk room to room with your phone and a microfiber cloth. Note issues as you go and add them to your protocol.

Entryway & Hallway — Set The Tone

Light traffic area, easy fixes, great photos.

☐ Sweep/mop floors
☐ Wipe door handles & light switches
☐ Test buzzer/intercom (note any delay or static)
☐ Photograph scuffs and scratches from two angles

Living Room & Bedrooms — Your Daily Comfort

Dust + documentation = fewer arguments later.

☐ Dust skirting, sockets, window sills, and shelves (tops & undersides)
☐ Vacuum or mop; check for loose boards/thresholds
☐ Photograph parquet scratches, paint drips, and cracked skirting
☐ Check blinds/curtains glide; note if sticky or uneven

Kitchen — The Landlord’s Microscope

Grease and limescale are where deposits go to die—get ahead now.

☐ Clean fridge shelves & seals; set to safe temperature
☐ Wipe oven exterior & hob (deep clean only if visibly dirty at handover)
☐ Descale sink & tap; run water to check for slow drainage
☐ Degrease backsplash, cabinet fronts/handles; spot-clean inside cabinets
☐ Mop with mild cleaner (avoid harsh chemicals on linoleum/wood)
☐ Photograph chips, swollen panels, or heat marks on counters

Bathroom — Mold & Limescale Hotspot

The quickest way to look “unclean” is using bad silicone and scaling—document now.

☐ Descale taps, showerhead, tiles; rinse thoroughly
☐ Disinfect toilet (including seat hinges)
☐ Clean mirrors & shelves; squeegee glass if needed
☐ Photograph silicone seams, grout cracks, or water stains
☐ Check ventilation works; note weak airflow or fan noise

Windows & Balcony — Simple Wins With High Impact

Frames and tracks sell “clean” at a glance; balconies show care.

☐ Wipe frames, handles, tracks; spot-clean panes if dirty
☐ Sweep balcony/loggia; remove cobwebs; clear drain holes
☐ Photograph flaking paint or damaged seals

Utilities & Safety — Boring Until It Isn’t

Quiet items that turn into big issues if ignored.

☐ Test smoke detectors and replace dead batteries
☐ Turn each radiator valve; confirm they open/close smoothly
☐ Locate fuse box & water shut-off; label circuits if unclear
☐ Note odd sounds/smells from boiler or pipes and email your landlord

Moving In With Pets (Keep It Clean, Keep It Legal)

Berlin is pet-friendly; your landlord is evidence-friendly.

☐ Photograph floors, rugs, and doors at move-in (proof of pre-existing marks)
☐ Ventilate daily (Stoßlüften) to control odors and humidity
☐ Use pet-safe neutral cleaners; keep the receipts
☐ Remember: under §535 BGB, you return the flat in the agreed condition; minor wear (light scratches) is generally normal use—not a fine.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Not legal advice; contact a tenants’ association (Mieterverein) when in doubt.

Do’s & Don’ts (House Rules For Hassle-Free Handovers)

Quick guardrails so you don’t over- or under-do it.

Do

☐ Walk through with your landlord and complete an Übergabeprotokoll
☐ Email the signed protocol + photo link the same day (timestamped trail)
☐ Buy limescale remover on day one; Berlin water is relentless
☐ Save every cleaning receipt (DIY or professional)

Don’t

☐ Repaint or fill holes without written approval
☐ Ignore balcony/cellar/mailbox keys (missing keys = deposit deductions)
☐ Accept “extra cleaning” claims without your day-one photos
☐ Assume pets erase tenant rights

Pro Tips (Expat-Tested, Deposit-Approved)

These tiny habits pay off at move-out.

☐ Take “before” photos before any cleaning begins
☐ Describe defects precisely (“3 cm chip, sink edge, east side”)
☐ Label fuse box circuits with masking tape while you learn them
☐ Keep one microfiber just for glass/mirrors to avoid streaks
☐ Don’t obsess over grout—besenrein means clean, not surgical

More Resources For Expats In Germany (Read Next)

We even scribbled a checklist for your next reads on our blog. Bookmark these A4ord guides so you know which product or service to use right off the bat.

☐ Want the big picture on hiring and expectations? Read Cleaning Services in Germany – A Guide for Expats.
☐ Need greener options that actually work on hard water? Try 10 Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products in Germany.
☐ Planning to refresh the sofa or dining set? See 10 Best Furniture Cleaning Products in Germany (2025 Edition).
☐ Bathroom scale wars? Win with 10 Best Bathroom Cleaning Products in Germany.
☐ Kitchen grime getting bold? Use 10 Best Kitchen Cleaning Products in Germany.
☐ Want a single shopping list? Start with Best Floor Cleaning Products in Germany (2025 Edition) and the strategy piece Top 10 Benefits of Professional Cleaning Services to decide when to DIY and when to book help.

Need Help? A4ord Does Move-Ins The Right Way

When you’re ready, book A4ord Cleaning Services in Berlin—satisfaction guaranteed. We offer clear, upfront pricing in euros, flexible scheduling (including evenings and weekends), and vetted, insured cleaners who know Berlin’s besenrein (swept clean) standard and Übergabeprotokoll (handover report) expectations inside out. 

Coordinate in English or German so you can settle in faster—one booking, zero stress—hire now! A4ord Cleaning Services in Berlin.