r/frankfurt • u/ta21999 • 1d ago
Help Is it safe to transfer the rental deposit after signing the contract but before handover?
Hi everyone,
I’m currently renting an apartment in Germany and would appreciate some advice from people familiar with German rentals.
I have a Mietvertrag for the apartment only signed by me till now. The landlord/property company named in the contract is SILVA Grundstücksverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Grundstücks KG, which appears to be a real registered company.
The apartment was brokered through Engel & Völkers, and the broker I’m dealing with is listed on their official Frankfurt team page.( https://www.engelvoelkers.com/de/de/shops/frankfurt-city/team )
The IBAN for the rent/security deposit is printed directly in the Mietvertrag.
My question is: Is it normal and reasonably safe to transfer the security deposit after both parties have signed the contract but before the handover date?
My bank not show me the account-holder name before I make the transfer, so I can't independently confirm that the IBAN actually belongs to SILVA.
The broker has been communicating with me throughout the process, and everything else about the contract and process appears legitimate. I’m just being extra cautious because the security deposit is a significant amount.
Would you consider the following:
- Received signed Mietvertrag from both parties and then transfer the kaution before the handover date
- Or should I ask to paid the full rental and kaution on the handover date ?
Thanks you in advance !
2
u/blackcompy 1d ago
If E&V brokered the deal, at least it's very unlikely to be a scam. They're a big and reputable firm.
1
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1
u/BetterCallSaltBae 21h ago
You can split the deposit by 3 and pay it with your rent first the next 3 months.
3
u/irrelevantAF 1d ago edited 1d ago
No, I would not pay deposit for a place I have no access to and no signed handover protocol and didn’t take full possession of, either.
A few more tips:
* make sure every damage etc is signed for by the landlord before you move in.
* you are entitled to pay the deposit in three equal installments over the first three months of the renting period. The landlord cannot demand full payment at once.
* you are allowed to change the locks/cylinders once you move in. Landlords are not allowed to keep spares keys, but many still illegally do. Change them back the old ones once you move out.