Hi
tomorrow I will have to sign the contract for my new flat.

I had some previous discussions with the agency, because the lady there, told me that I should sign the contract (on one day) and then do the inventory (the flat is furnished) with the landlord another time (not specified one) because the landlord intends to bring new furniture, which has not been delivered yet.

I asked the agency to reschedule to signature date (which was rescheduled for tomorrow), so as to give to the landlord the time to put this new stuff in the flat, because my intention was to sign the contract and to the inventory checklist on the same day (as it should).

In spite of the promises (and rescheduling) the agency told me *today* that the new furniture have not been delivered, and that the inventory check may be procrastinated, or even that an inventory list (containing new things not already present in the flat) may be done instead.

I am not feeling OK with all this.
The plan for tomorrow is to sign the contract first, then go to the flat and do all this inventory thing.

I was wondering whether I can refuse to sign the inventory if it contains things which are not already there.

If so, can the landlord refuse to give me the keys?

What are the possible consequences?

Please note that I have already gave 600 euros to the agency to block that flat, so I don't know whether now I can withdraw my word and refuse to sign the contract (even if the way all this was managed was and is very disappointing).

Please, if you can help me.

I am really desperate and very worried for tomorrow!
Thank you

rose

The inventory list can be done later within a week or two.
Because you need to be in the flat to see if there are any problems, it is very hard to see stuff right off the bat so I don't know what their hurry is.
Just tell them they will get the inventory list next week after you get the furniture

Hi !
Thank you a lot for replying.

From the experience with my previous contract, I have been told (by the landlord) that the keys are not handed to the renter, unless the inventory list is signed (the inventory list being a paper pre-made by the landlord herself).

Something that the agency told me today is that I may be required to sign an inventory list reporting new appliances/furniture which are not in the flat yet. I am not willing to sign for something I haven't seen.
So my problem is what it may happen if I refuse to sign this list, if the landlord can refuse me the keys.

Cheers
rose

Well I suggest you work it out with them or don't take it
or write on it, required to sign to obtain keys so it is subject to alteration on your part.

I wouldn't sign for anything that wasn't there; you want to be liable for furniture that might never arrive, which the landlord could tell the police you stole once you move out?

I'd make sure you have a witness with you when you go. If there is stuff on the list that isn't in the apartment, put a line though it or write 'not present at handover' (Nog niet in Bezit in Dutch) or write *something* to prove you the item is not there.

If they insist, tell them you phoned the NVM (Nederlandse Vereniging van Makalaars) who advised you not to sign for items not there. Or even better - call them and ask their advice on what to do if the Makalaar insists on it The bluff should be enough, if they think they will be in trouble with their National Association, to keep everything strictly legal?

Good luck today - let us know how you got on.

Hi,
first of all I want to thank all of you for the answers, it is great to know that there are caring people willing to give some help! Thank you! :-)

And now the rest of the story.
Well, I had to sign the contract because I must leave the place where I am now. Then we went to the new flat, but I did not sign the inventory list.

The story is like this (at least this is what they told me). The landlord ordered new furniture, which is not arrived yet. However, they got from the seller some back-up furniture. The back-up furniture is in the inventory list. They told me they will replace these back-up with the new ones as soon as they arrive.

The landlord is now rectifying the list (things not present, and things that I have asked to be removed from the flat, etc.). But I think next week she will ask me to sign this rectified version of the inventory.

I have insisted on knowing the delivery time, but they could not say. I have also remarked that during the delivery, it may happen small accidents (scratches on the wall, or on the floor for example), but they say they will be there with me and register what happen. Also remark that there are people going in and out of the flat right now (people fixing some stuff, like missing curtains, etc.) this means that in principle anyone can get in and steal stuff or make damages....
Shall I trust them on this?
Should I sign the inventory and then wait for the switch old-new?

Another thing is that this backup furtniture match the inventory which is extremely generic (e.g. two places sofa and two small tables)
And all the list is like this: just items names, one after the other, and their number. But nothing about the status (old, or new) nor about the color or other qualities.
Is this common???
So how to make sure that we I leave they will not give me troubles?

Unfortunately I have none who can come with me as witness of what is going on. I only take pictures and eventually write them down an email with reading receipt on what I think is not right.

Thank you again for the help!
:-)
cheers
r.

Just take pictures