Inspection of a rental flat: moving in and moving out

When you move into a rental flat in Skellefteå, you and the landlord should go through the condition of the flat together before you unpack. And when you move out, you should go through it again. The inspections are about documenting the condition so that no one has to pay for damage that was already there, or for wear and tear that has built up over the years.

Why inspection matters

A move-in inspection creates a shared picture of how the flat looks when you take it over. Walls, floors, kitchen cupboards, windows and appliances are checked. Everything that is broken or worn is noted in a protocol that both you and the landlord sign.

The protocol is your evidence. If the landlord later claims that you caused damage that already existed when you moved in, you can show the protocol. Without a protocol, it is your word against the landlord's, and that is hard to win.

Move-in inspection: go through the flat together

At move-in, you should document the condition room by room. Look at walls, ceilings and floors. Check kitchen cupboards, windows and appliances. Test that doors and locks work. Note broken surfaces, stains, scratches and anything that is not intact.

Take your own photos as a complement to the protocol. Photograph walls, floors, kitchen and bathroom so you have visual evidence if a dispute arises later. Both parties should have a signed copy of the protocol.

What the protocol should contain

A good inspection protocol contains:

Date and address of the flat
Signatures of both parties – yours and the landlord's
A review of every room and surface
Noted damage and defects with location and description
Any promises from the landlord to fix something, with a date

Do not let the landlord pressure you into signing an incomplete protocol. If you have remarks, write them down even if the landlord says they will be fixed "later". A verbal promise is not enough unless it is in writing.

Normal wear and tear versus damage you are responsible for

Not all wear and tear is something you as a tenant should pay for. Normal wear and tear – such as minor scratches in the floor after years of use, sun-faded wallpaper or worn paint on inner doors – is part of living there and is the landlord's responsibility.

Damage that you or someone in your household has caused through negligence or fault, you must instead compensate. Examples are a drilled-through water pipe, a broken window, holes in walls that you drilled yourself, or stains on the carpet that cannot be removed.

The tenant's responsibility under the Swedish Land Code

According to the Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken) 12 kap 24 §, the tenant must take good care of the flat during the tenancy and everything belonging to it. The tenant is obliged to compensate all damage caused through his or her fault or through negligence of someone belonging to the household or visiting.

You must also immediately notify the landlord about damage or defects that must be fixed right away to avoid serious inconvenience. For other damage or defects, you must notify the landlord without undue delay. If you fail to notify the landlord, you can be held responsible for the damage that your neglect leads to.

Move-out inspection: how it goes

When you terminate the tenancy, you should do a move-out inspection. You compare the condition of the flat with the move-in protocol. Damage that has arisen during your tenancy and that is not normal wear and tear can make you liable to compensate.

Think about the following before moving out:

Clean the flat thoroughly before the inspection
Remove all your belongings, including from storage and balcony
Go through the flat together with the landlord
Get written notice of what, if anything, needs to be fixed
Keep a copy of the move-out protocol

Common mistakes to avoid

Not demanding an inspection protocol at move-in
Signing a protocol without going through every room
Not keeping a copy of the protocol
Not reporting damage directly to the landlord when it occurs
Cleaning poorly before the move-out inspection

Inspection of a rental flat: moving in and moving out