Financial Settlement After Mutual Agreement on Lease Termination

Upon mutual agreement on lease termination, financial matters play a crucial role. The landlord must repay the deposit within a reasonable period, usually after inspection and reconciliation of outstanding amounts. Article 7:266 DCC obliges restitution minus damage or overdue rent. Parties may agree that tenants take over remaining service charges or utility bills. A property inspection prevents disputes over repair costs. Tenants with a VvE contribution must arrange this in time. Important: record reconciliations in writing to avoid later claims. Landlords may not make unreasonable deductions; otherwise, proceedings at the district court are threatened. Practical advice: prepare a detailed final settlement with receipts. In case of early termination, a tenant may claim compensation for estate agent costs. Landlords sometimes benefit from penalty clauses for non-compliance. Consult the Rent Tribunal for disputes. Examples from case law show that clear financial clauses halve disputes. Always include a dissolving condition for unexpected costs.