Step 7: Signing the lease

After a positive response from the funding agency, you can sign the lease. Arrange an appointment with the landlord for the signing.

You should conclude the lease in writing, as verbally concluded arrangements can lead to disputes later. Read through the contract carefully before signing. In addition to the lease, an Übergabeprotokoll (handover certificate) in which the deficiencies are listed (for example a crack in the basin) should be prepared. It has to be signed by you and the landlord. If you do not have an Übergabeprotokoll, the landlord could demand you to remedy the deficiencies or he or she can keep the deposit, even if it was not your fault.

Make sure that the lease includes the following details:

• Rent exclusive the heating costs
• Rent including the heating costs
• Rental deposit
• Graduated rent
• Duration of the lease (if limited)
• Übergabeprotokoll

Furthermore, ask the landlord to fill in the form Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. Download available at 
www.rathaus.dortmund.de/dosys/dokumentenpool_domap.nsf/WEB/
05524A610B639863C1257EDD0033803D/$FILE/Wohnungsgeberbest
%C3%A4tigung%20nach%20%C2%A7%2019%20BMG.pdf