The handover, house rules, and who to call when something breaks.
The Übergabeprotokoll — your deposit's best protectionAt move-in, you and the landlord walk through the flat and sign an Übergabeprotokoll recording its condition. It is the single most important document for getting your full Kaution back later.
House rules and Germany's quiet hoursMost buildings have a Hausordnung attached to your rental contract, and German quiet-hour norms are taken seriously — neighbours will complain, and repeated violations can be grounds for warnings.
Who pays for what: repairs and cosmetic renovationGerman contracts often shift cosmetic repairs (painting, wallpapering) to tenants — but many of these clauses are legally invalid. The landlord always remains responsible for the building's substance.Hausmeister, Hausverwaltung and getting things fixedLarger buildings are run by a Hausverwaltung (property management) with a Hausmeister (caretaker) on site. Knowing who handles what saves weeks when something breaks.