The Formal Transfer of Possession
The sleuteloverdracht (key handover) is the formal, physical act of transferring possession of the rental property from the landlord to the tenant, or vice versa. It is a simple but legally significant event that marks the precise beginning or end of the tenant's rights and responsibilities for the home.
The Handover at the Start of the Lease
The initial key handover takes place on the first day of the rental period. It happens at the property itself and should occur immediately after the move-in inspection has been completed and both the landlord and tenant have signed the detailed inspection report (opleveringsrapport). By accepting the keys, the tenant formally takes possession of the property in the state described in the report. A tenant should never accept the keys if the landlord refuses to conduct a proper joint inspection first.
The Handover at the End of the Lease
The final key handover takes place on the last official day of the tenancy. After the final inspection (eindinspectie) has been completed and the final report has been signed, the tenant returns all sets of keys (including any copies) to the landlord. This act formally ends the tenant's right to access the property and, in principle, ends their responsibility for it. It is the final step in closing out the rental agreement.
