The end of your tenancy is approaching and you want your deposit back in full. Rather than waiting for the handover inspection and hoping the landlord is in a good mood, walk through the apartment beforehand and take care of what needs fixing.
Start With the Walls
Walls are the first thing a landlord looks at. Holes from wall plugs, chipped paint, stains — any of these can become a reason to deduct from your deposit. Filling small holes and touching up the paint is straightforward work worth doing before the handover. If a wall looks noticeably worse than when you moved in, repainting the whole surface is safer than spot-patching.
Floors, Doors and Windows — Small Things That Matter
Scratched laminate, squeaky hinges, a broken handle, a cracked window seal — these are the typical items landlords like to list as defects. Some are fair wear and tear that tenants aren’t liable for, but fixing them proactively is easier than arguing later. Replacing a seal, tightening hinges, buffing out a scratch on a floor panel — each small fix removes one more potential dispute.
Bathroom and Kitchen — High-Scrutiny Zones
These two rooms get the closest inspection. Silicone seals around the bathtub or shower tray, dripping taps, leaking joints under the sink — all visible at a glance. Mould in the grout is a common issue in Warsaw rental apartments: clean it and refresh the grout lines before handing over.
Safety note: any work on electrical, gas or plumbing systems must be carried out by a qualified tradesperson. Do not attempt these repairs yourself — if you spot a fault, call a professional.
Pre-Handover Checklist
- Handles, hinges, cabinet hardware — check for anything loose or detached
- Sockets and light switches — check for cracks or scratches
- Blinds, shutters, curtain rails — check they operate correctly
- Lighting — confirm every bulb works
- Appliances (if included in the tenancy) — clean and functioning
- Overall cleanliness — a professional clean before handover makes a measurable difference
When to Call a Handyman
Most of these jobs can be wrapped up in a single visit. Instead of coordinating multiple tradespeople for plastering, hardware fixes and sealing, one experienced handyman can cover the whole list in a day. HandyMan24 operates in Warsaw around the clock. Cost depends on the scope of work — submit a request through the form and we’ll get back to you with a time and quote.
A few hours of preparation before handing over the keys often pays for itself when the deposit comes back in full.