Every defect.
Documented as proof.

Why you should document the handover yourself

You move into a flat and spot scratches, stains or loose tiles that were already there. At move-out, the landlord claims they are all new and wants to keep part of your deposit. Without dated photos, it is your word against theirs. That is exactly what MängelLog is for: your handover report that records the condition of the flat while you can still see it.

You capture every defect with photo, room, location and category, each with an automatic timestamp. You also record meter readings for electricity, gas and water, log the keys, and have tenant and landlord sign right on the phone. On inspection day you have everything together — for move-in, move-out and interim checks.

All entries stay solely on your device. No account, no server, no cloud, no sharing. MängelLog documents the condition and, on request, turns it into a PDF report for the landlord or property manager; the app is not a substitute for legal advice.

What belongs in a solid handover report

Whether you're moving in or moving out — the handover report records the exact condition the flat was passed on in. That's precisely what matters later, when it comes to defects and the deposit. A report is only truly complete once it contains all of the following:

• Meter readings for electricity, gas and water, each with the date
• The condition of every room — walls, floors, windows, bathroom and kitchen recorded individually
• Existing defects — every scratch, stain or damage with a photo and a close-up
• The number of keys that were handed over
• The date and the people present at the handover
• Signatures from both sides — tenant and landlord alike

That's exactly what MängelLog is built for: you walk through room by room, capture every defect with a photo and a timestamp, note down the meter readings, and end up with a complete handover report — offline and without an account. When you move out, you retrace the same walkthrough and can prove the condition point by point.

The handover report and your deposit: what counts legally

The most common dispute at the end of a tenancy is about the deposit: the landlord keeps all or part of it for alleged damage. A clean handover report is your most important piece of evidence here — it shows in black and white what was already there and what you are genuinely responsible for.

Legally the line is clear. Ordinary signs of use are not charged to you. Under German law, § 538 BGB means you are not liable for wear and tear caused by contractual use — worn walls or normal wear paths cannot be deducted from your deposit. The deposit itself is governed by § 551 BGB (German law), and claims for compensation over changes to the rented property expire six months after handover under § 548 BGB. Anyone who has documented the condition can calmly refuse inflated demands, evidence in hand.

Whether a specific deduction is justified depends on the individual case. MängelLog gives you the organised evidential basis, but it does not replace legal advice — in a dispute over the deposit, a tenants' association or a lawyer can help you further. Your photos and entries stay offline on your device throughout.

How to make the handover run smoothly

A good handover is done in half an hour — and saves you a lot of trouble later. Here's how to go about it:

• Hand over in daylight: arrange the appointment so you can actually spot defects.
• Room by room, together: walk through the flat as a pair instead of just signing a finished report.
• Read the meters straight away: note electricity, gas and water right there at the appointment.
• Photograph everything: capture every defect with a timestamp, even the seemingly trivial ones.
• Sign together: both sides confirm the report, and you take a copy with you.

That way you don't walk into a discussion about damage empty-handed, but with a complete, dated report — the best foundation for getting your deposit back in full and on time.

More helpers for your rented home

The handover report is only one part of your rights as a tenant. Anyone who wants to reclaim their deposit deliberately, document mould and defects or log noise from the neighbours works on the same principle: only complete, timely documentation protects your rights as a tenant in the end.