Letting your flat: checklist
Preparing the flat and the paperwork: small repairs and appliances, price and terms, viewings, contract and inventory, deposit, contact and move-out.

[ ] Check the paperwork and tax rules
    Rules differ by country and change. Sorting it out in advance is cheaper than after an inspection.
[ ] Fix small faults before viewings
    A dripping tap, a loose socket, a broken handle. In month one these become callouts and a soured relationship.
[ ] Test the appliances and collect the manuals
    Hob, fridge, washing machine, boiler. Manuals and a tradesperson's contact go in a folder, with a copy for the tenants.
[ ] Remove personal belongings and free the storage
    Storing your things is not the tenant's job. Free at least half of the wardrobe space.
[ ] Give it a proper clean
    A clean flat affects the price and the type of tenant more than a fresh renovation. Especially the bathroom, kitchen and smell.
[ ] Prepare the right number of key sets
    The number goes into the handover record. Sort the entry phone, letterbox and parking access at the same time.
[ ] Set the price from real listings
    Look at comparable flats nearby and how long they sit unlet. Overpricing costs months of vacancy.
[ ] Define the terms before viewings
    Term, deposit, what is included, pets, children, smoking, guests. Clear terms save both sides time.
[ ] Take good daylight photographs
    Every room, the kitchen, bathroom, the view. Honest photos filter out people the flat does not suit.
[ ] Talk with candidates calmly
    Who will live there, for how long, what they do, whether there are pets. Relevant questions are fine; discrimination is not.
[ ] Sign a written contract
    Term, rent, deposit and its return, who pays for what, house rules, how it ends. It protects both sides.
[ ] Draw up a handover record with inventory and readings
    Furniture, appliances, condition, number of keys, readings on the handover date. A year later it is the only source of truth.
[ ] Photograph the flat's condition at handover
    Every room, appliances, plumbing, any damage. With the date. Not distrust — standard practice for both sides.
[ ] Take the deposit and record it in writing
    Amount, date, return conditions and what may be withheld. A verbal agreement never works here.
[ ] Agree the communication channel and what counts as urgent
    A leak is urgent; a blown bulb is not. Clear rules prevent midnight calls about trivia.
[ ] Respond to breakages quickly
    Fixing a tap now is cheaper than repairing the neighbour's floor later. This is the landlord's actual job.
[ ] Agree scheduled inspections
    Every few months and arranged in advance. Unannounced visits are bad practice and often a breach of contract.
[ ] Plan the move-out process in advance
    Notice, a final inspection against the inventory, meter readings, deposit returned on time. A calm exit is part of your reputation.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/renting-out-apartment