What to consider when handing over the keys after a property sale

How to prepare your house or apartment in Hamburg for the handover

The condition in which a property is to be handed over to the new owner after a successful sale depends on the agreements fixed in the purchase contract: for example, it should specify the date of handover, whether and which pieces of furniture are included, and which defects must be remedied by the handover date. Also clarify how any remaining fuel supplies from the previous winter should be handled—a point sometimes overlooked by owners. Additionally, it is customary to hand over the house or apartment in a broom-clean condition, meaning all personal belongings should be removed (unless otherwise agreed) and any heavy dirt caused during the move-out cleaned up. A professional deep cleaning is not required unless previously agreed upon.

The real estate team at Engel & Völkers also recommends handing over the keys to the sold property only after the purchase amount or the agreed installment has been credited to your account, ensuring no outstanding payments remain. When selling your property in Hamburg Altona with Engel & Völkers Hamburg, we support you with our after-sales service to prepare your property in the best possible way for the handover appointment. Please feel free to contact us!

The day of the property handover: procedures, protocol and more at a glance

Once the buyer and seller—or their authorized representatives—have met at the agreed handover appointment, the final step of the transaction can be completed: walk through all rooms of the house or apartment, as well as all garden areas, basements, garages, etc., together with the new owner to verify that the property is in the agreed condition. This process should be documented in a written handover protocol, which is then signed in duplicate by both parties. This protocol either confirms that the property was handed over in accordance with the contract or notes any defects that need to be remedied before the purchase price is paid. The protocol also records whether all documents and keys belonging to the property in Altona have been fully handed over and notes the readings of the electricity, gas, and water meters at the time of handover. To ensure all important points are covered during this inspection, you can use a pre-prepared protocol form that guides you through the handover much like a checklist. Such forms are offered by various reputable institutions, such as the Sparkasse bank, and are available free of charge online.

During the appointment, it is also a good opportunity to explain the operation of technical equipment—such as the heating system, security system, or solar installation—to the new owner, so that no uncertainties remain after the handover. Of course, Engel & Völkers Hamburg’s real estate agents will also be on hand during the key handover to answer any questions you may have and to help bring your property sale in Altona to a successful conclusion.

If you plan to sell your property in Hamburg Altona and want to rely on the experience and market knowledge of an established industry expert throughout the entire sales process, a comprehensive service offering and maximum selling comfort with the best results in a short time are especially important to you, then Engel & Völkers is the right choice. As a traditional Hamburg brand, we combine professionalism, transparency, and efficiency. Schedule a free and non-binding consultation soon, where we can present our services in more detail. We look forward to your call at +49(0)40 987 63 53 33—or feel free to fill out our online contact form!