Moving to a new apartment is usually associated with a lot of stress. Things have to be packed and moving boxes unpacked again in the new home. It takes some time before the household is organized. Useful tips can help to plan the move and the time afterwards perfectly.
What should be considered when moving out?
Moving out usually begins with terminating the current apartment. Notice periods must be observed, which can vary in length. Therefore, it makes sense to take a look at the rental agreement before terminating the tenancy. If no specific notice period has been contractually agreed, the statutory period applies, which in Austria is one month. This means that the owner must receive the apartment termination notice at least one month before the actual move-out date. Normally, the rental agreement also regulates whether and which renovation work must be carried out by the tenant before moving out. To avoid misunderstandings or disputes with the landlord, every detail in the rental agreement should be paid attention to. In principle, Austrian tenancy law does not stipulate that an apartment must be renovated upon moving out, provided that the rental property has been used properly. Anyone who wants to wallpaper before moving will find useful information on the Internet Tips for painting walls. Regardless of whether it is about painting ceilings and walls, filling drill holes, or removing scratches in the parquet floor, cosmetic repairs are not automatically the tenant's responsibility. Only if cosmetic repairs are explicitly listed in the rental agreement is the completion of such tasks legally binding. However, tenants are responsible for damage they have caused themselves to the carpet, such as cigarette burn holes, so the costs for repairing damage due to improper use must be borne by them. However, an average service life of about 10 years can be expected for wallpaper and carpets, so these items only need to be replaced by the tenant if the rental period is long. The usual signs of wear and tear that occur from normal walking on the carpet do not have to be removed. By the time you move out, your own installations, such as a fitted kitchen you brought with you, must also be removed, unless the new tenant wants to take them over.
A moving checklist helps with move planning
If you are considering a move, the notice of termination should be sent to the current landlord in good time so that the notice period can be met. An apartment termination must always be in writing. On this occasion, the handover date can also be agreed with the owner. To ensure nothing is forgotten, you should create a checklist for the apartment handover appointment. It is advisable to document the final condition of the apartment in writing and also to enter the current meter readings, which are read on the day of moving out, into the list. At the handover, the landlord receives all keys belonging to the apartment, such as front door keys, apartment keys, and mailbox keys, as well as any basement and attic keys. Since moving house involves a lot of organizational effort, it should be planned in good time and nothing should be left to chance. A detailed moving checklist is a great support when planning the move and can help to plan the move step by step. Moving house is a good opportunity to check electricity and gas tariffs and, if necessary, consider changing providers. It is important to find out in good time whether the existing contract with the current electricity provider can continue at the new location or whether a change makes sense. Unnecessary costs due to two parallel gas and electricity contracts should be avoided. If the move takes place within the same network area, a proper termination is possible if this has been agreed in the contract.
How is the electricity and gas supply re-registered?
In Austria, it is common for electricity supply contracts to have a maximum commitment period of 12 months. Subsequently, electricity contracts can usually be terminated with a two-week notice period, so that a change to a cheaper provider is easily possible. If the current electricity provider does not supply the new residential address, a change must be made in any case. Since some operators take up to 14 days to activate a new connection, you should take care of the electricity supply in your new home before you move. It should not be forgotten that two contracts are affected by the move, namely the network usage contract and the electricity supply contract. While the electricity provider can be chosen freely, the network operator depends on the new address. Since several hundred euros in electricity costs per year can potentially be saved by changing providers, it is advisable to carry out an electricity provider comparison before making decisions. The same applies to the gas contract. If gas is used in the new apartment, it makes sense to check the current gas contract again at least 4 weeks before the planned move-out date and to do a gas comparison. There is also potential for savings in gas supply, so moving is the optimal opportunity to replace expensive contracts with cheaper tariffs. As a tenant, you must always hand over an apartment clean. In tenancy law it is stipulated, that no items belonging to the tenant may be left on the premises when moving out. If furniture and other everyday items are left behind in the old apartment, the landlord is entitled to commission a clearance company and charge the costs to the tenant. Therefore, before handing over the keys, you should make sure during a final tour of the apartment that you have not overlooked anything.
