MY APARTMENT

It is very important for us that you are happy as a tenant in your apartment, and that you assume responsibility for taking good care of it. You can find information here about how to look after surfaces, white goods and interior fittings in your apartment.

Please note that other information than that stated on this page may apply in your residential area and in your particular apartment. Contact Customer Service if you are unsure.

If, during the inspection we conduct in connection with you moving out, we consider that the apartment has sustained damage or abnormal wear, you as tenant will be billed the cost of restoration. This applies to both physical wear and strong odours or damage from food odour, smoking, pets or similar.

You can find more detailed information about your rights and obligations as a tenant in your rental agreement.

KITCHEN

Your apartment is equipped with white goods that are owned by Balder. This means that if a fault arises due to age-related wear, the equipment will be repaired or replaced. If, however, the fault was caused by inadequate maintenance, cleaning or care, you as tenant will have to pay for the repair.
In case there are manuals for the appliances in your apartment, please review them.

Cabinets and doors

Doors and cabinets are wiped with a clean microfiber cloth, wrung tightly in lukewarm water. Dry and polish with a dry, soft cotton cloth afterward.

Coffe maker and kettle

Do not place these under wall cabinets as steam can damage cabinets and doors.

Cooker

Clean the cooker regularly. Food that has become encrusted is difficult to remove. If you have a glass cooktop, use a specialized cleaner for glass cooktops. Use a cooktop scraper as needed. Wipe dry with a soft, clean, damp cloth afterwards.

Cooker hood

Wash the cooker hood and grease filter at least twice a year (or more often if required).

Countertop

Stains and water spills should be wiped away immediately.

Wipe the countertop with a clean cloth wrung in lukewarm water. Add a few drops of dish soap if necessary.

Dishwasher

Make sure you are always at home when you run the dishwasher, just in case a leak occurs.

Do not open the dishwasher until it is completely finished as the countertop and other kitchen counters may be damaged by the hot steam.

Cleaning

To ensure good dishwashing results, filters and spray arms should be cleaned a couple of times a year. Use a dishwasher cleaner and follow the instructions on the packaging. The machine can also be kept fresh by running it empty on a high temperature a couple of times a year.

Do you want to install a dishwasher?

If you are renting a home from Balder, you are not permitted to install a dishwasher in the kitchen yourself – always contact your local management office to check what the rules are for your particular apartment.

Fridge and freezer

Clean the fridge regularly using a damp cloth and detergent.

Vacuum the space behind the refrigerator/freezer as well as the area around the compressor from dust, a few times a year.

Automatic defrosting

If the fridge has automatic defrosting, it’s sufficient to clean the drain outlet for the defrosting water at the back of the fridge.

If the fridge does not have automatic defrosting, defrost the freezer at least once a year. This both provides better performance and reduces energy consumption. Do not use force or sharp objects to remove the ice. Make sure that water from the melting ice does not run onto the floor and cause water damage.

Microwave

If you have a microwave in your apartment, clean it by wiping it out with a soft, clean cloth dampened with water and a few drops of dish soap.

Oven

You clean a lightly soiled oven with warm water and dish soap or with vinegar water. Oven cleaner should only be used on the enameled surfaces inside the oven. Be sure to remove all cleaner before using the oven again.

If the bulb in the oven needs replacing, it is your responsibility as tenant to do so.

Sink

The sink is best cleaned with a cloth dampened in lukewarm water and a few drops of dish soap.

Never use steel wool, scouring pads, or similar materials to clean the sink as they scratch the surface.

BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY

Shower doors

You can easily keep the shower doors clean and fresh by scraping the surface with a rubber squeegee each time the shower is used. When cleaning, wipe the glass doors with a soft cloth dampened with water and all-purpose cleaner."

Tiles

The bathroom tiles need to be cleaned regularly. Wipe them with water and all-purpose cleaner. If limescale have formed, a moderately strong cleaning agent may also be needed. Remember to start with water on the grout to prevent it from being damaged by the cleaner. After treatment, the surfaces need to be rinsed with clean water.

Washing machine and tumble drier

Keep in mind that:

Make sure you are always at home when you run the washing machine/tumble drier, just in case a leak occurs.
Do not overdose the detergent.
Clean filters and condenser when needed.

Do you want to install a washing machine or a tumble drier?

If you are renting a home from Balder, you are not permitted to install a washing machine or tumble drier yourself – always contact your local management office to check what the rules are for your particular apartment.

WALLS AND INDOOR CEILING

We paint and wallpaper the apartments at reasonable intervals, but this does not prevent you from painting or wallpapering your walls at your own expense. Always check with us before doing any work by contacting customer service or your local management office. Keep in mind that all renovation work must be professionally done. You may need to restore the apartment or be liable for compensation for any negligence, inappropriate materials, or extreme color schemes when you move out.

Drill

It is not permitted to nail/screw/drill within 15 cm of sockets and switches, as this entails a major risk of making contact with a cable in the wall. The same applies in a straight, vertical line above and below all sockets and switches.

Never drill in the bathroom wall or in the wall next to the bathroom.

Painted walls

You need to be very careful when cleaning painted walls. The more matt the painted wall, the more sensitive it is. Use a mild detergent and a lightly moistened cloth.

Paper wall

Paper wall coverings will only withstand extremely gently wiping with a lightly moistened cloth. Vinyl wall coverings can be wiped with a damp cloth or a soft brush.

Smoke alarm

A smoke alarm offers important protection in every home. If you’re asleep when a fire breaks out, the smoke alarm gives you 2–3 minutes of extra time to make your way out of the burning home.

There should be a smoke alarm in the middle of the ceiling in each room (except the kitchen and the bathroom). It is sufficient to have one smoke alarm per 60 square metres. If there’s more than one floor in your home, you should have at least one smoke alarm on each floor.

We at Balder are responsible for ensuring that there are smoke alarms in your apartment when you move in, but it is your responsibility as tenant to replace the batteries and make sure that they are working. Test the smoke alarms regularly and replace batteries if required. Make this a routine when you’re doing the cleaning.

Some apartments have a smoke alarm with integrated batteries that you cannot replace yourself. If you have one of these smoke alarms, please submit a maintenance request and your caretaker will help you to replace the battery.

If you do not have a smoke alarm, please feel free to contact Customer Service.

Tiles

Tiled walls in wetrooms should be cleaned with water, brush and scouring pad.

FLOORS

Remember to protect the floors, regardless of type, by using furniture pads on all furniture. It's smart to place a plastic mat under the office chair to protect the floor.
When moving in or out, or rearranging furniture, we recommend placing a rug or blanket under the furniture to prevent scratches on the floor.

Laminate and parquet flooring

Clean laminate or parquet flooring using a vacuum cleaner and a gently moistened mop. If you want to use a damp cloth or mop to wipe clean a dirty laminate or parquet floor, you should only use very little water. If you use too much water, the floor can lift and sustain permanent damage, and you might need to replace it when you move out of the apartment. Also make sure you mop carefully, as the surface of laminate or parquet flooring can easily sustain damage from abrasive cleaning tools.

Wooden flooring

Wooden floors are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and wiped with a cloth or floor mop wrung in lukewarm water and all-purpose cleaner. It is also important that you promptly remove dirt that could scratch the surface of the floor (such as gravel, glass, or sand).
Wooden floors contracts if the indoor air is too dry. This can result in cracks between the floorboards. We therefore recommend and strive to achieve a stable temperature of around 20 degrees in the apartment.

Plastic flooring

Plastic flooring usually consists of stretchable vinyl, and weekly cleaning is sufficient for such floors, using a vacuum cleaner and a dry mop. If necessary, wipe the floor with a damp cloth/mop and a mild detergent.

BALCONY, TERRACE AND PATIO

Make sure you do not leave the door open in strong winds. This can damage both the door and the locking device.
When cleaning or watering plants on your balcony, use as little water as possible to avoid disturbing the neighbours below.
If you have a glazed balcony, keep the panes closed during the winter in order to prevent rain and snow from coming in.

Barbecue

It is not permitted to barbecue on a balcony or patio. For reasons of fire safety, and out of consideration for your neighbours, it is only permitted to barbecue in the communal barbecue area in the courtyard, if there is one.

Wasps and other vermin

If you have problems with wasps, you should submit a maintenance request concerning pests via our Mitt Balder customer portal. Your case will then be sent straight to Anticimex.

Wind break

You are allowed to put up a wind break, as long as you don’t attach it to the façade in any way. The wind break should be placed inside the railing/fence.