For tenants

How to get your full deposit back

The deposit is usually two months of rent. Four habits from day one that decide what you get back on the last day.

Most deposit disputes are not decided on move-out day. They are decided on move-in day, when nobody is thinking about leaving yet.

1. Keep the handover record and the move-in photos

On move-in day HCARE walks the apartment with you and writes down the state of everything: electricity and water readings, the condition of each piece of furniture, how many keys and access cards. Photos are taken on the spot.

This is the single most important thing in this article. Was that scratch on the table there before, or did you make it? Only those photos answer that. Without them, move-out day comes down to who remembers what.

Keep a copy of the record and the photos somewhere you can still find them two years later. Emailing them to yourself is the simplest way.

2. Report problems immediately, do not let them pile up

A tap that drips today is a patch of mould in three months. By then nobody can separate normal wear from damage caused by leaving it unreported.

Reported early, it is almost always the landlord’s responsibility and HCARE fixes it. Reported late, part of the responsibility shifts to the tenant.

3. Ask before you drill, stick or change anything

Hanging pictures, putting up shelves, wallpaper, changing curtains — these are usually fine, but ask first. Ask first and HCARE notes it on the apartment file, so nobody counts it as damage later.

Do it quietly and every drill hole becomes a deduction on your last day.

4. Give notice on time

Your contract states how many days’ notice you must give before moving out. Late notice normally costs you money, and it is the easiest deduction of all to avoid.

Set a reminder on your phone the day you sign. One minute then saves you a month of rent later.

What happens on move-out day

HCARE walks the apartment with you again and compares it against the move-in record: meter readings, keys, furniture. Anything different from day one gets discussed there and then, not over messages afterwards.

Clean up and take everything of yours with you. Things left behind, even good things, are still something somebody has to haul away.

Written by the HCARE team · 23/09/2026