BNB4UR • Workshop scenario

Scenario 26 — Tenant rights and safe renting: contract, condition report, deposit, termination (180’)

BNB4UR package • Group: 18–30 years • 180 minutes • 15–20 people • Language: Polish • Format: in-person

IMPORTANT: This is an educational workshop, not legal advice. Regulations and practices vary locally and change over time. Participants should verify any decisions in official sources and in their own rental agreement. We work with fictional data.
Printable materials

1. Overall objective and session logic

Goal
participants can rent a flat/room safely, check the listing and the landlord, read and negotiate key clauses of a rental agreement, complete a handover protocol/condition report (with photo documentation), understand deposit rules, repairs and utility settlements, and know the basics of ending a lease/giving notice. Everyone creates a 30‑day plan and a list of questions for the landlord/agent.
Logic
checking the listing → contract and negotiations → condition report and deposit → repairs/utilities → ending the lease/notice → 30‑day plan.
Outputs
1) NL1 — Viewing & listing verification checklist, 2) NL2 — Rental agreement: key clauses + red flags, 3) NL3 — Handover/condition report (table), 4) NL4 — Photo condition report (shot list + rules), 5) NL5 — Deposit and settlements: rules + timeline, 6) NL6 — Repairs and responsibility (matrix “who does what”), 7) NL7 — Ending the lease/notice: decision tree + A2–B2 templates, 8) NL8 — Letter templates to the landlord/administrator (A2–B2), 9) NL9 — 30‑day plan (3 actions + contacts), 10) NL‑R — Skills assessment rubric.

2. Learning outcomes (knowledge • skills • attitudes)

Knowledge
understands basic types of agreements (fixed-term/indefinite term, renting a room, subletting), knows key clauses (subject of the lease, rent/utilities, deposit, repairs, notice rules), knows why the condition report matters, and understands the difference between normal wear and damage.
Skills
uses NL1 to verify a listing and prepare for a viewing,
checks NL2 (clauses and red flags) and proposes counter‑clauses,
fills in NL3 and NL4 (protocol + photos),
maps out the deposit and settlements (NL5),
chooses the right ending/notice pathway (NL7) and writes a letter (NL8),
creates NL9 — a 30‑day plan.
Attitudes
proactivity, documenting facts, respect and clear communication—“in writing first”.

3. Organisational parameters

Room
U‑shape seating + 4 tables; 2 flipcharts; projector; timer; sticky notes.
Materials (A4/A3, 1 per person): NL1–NL9, NL‑R; mock rental ads (fictional), prints of contract excerpts (anonymised), sample handover protocols.
Evaluation
Mentimeter PRE/POST (3 questions – section 4) + NL‑R rubric.

4. Mentimeter — questions (PRE and POST)

“I can check a listing and prepare for a flat viewing.”

“I know what a rental agreement must include and what to watch out for (red flags).”

“I can create a condition report with photo documentation and I know how to end a tenancy.”

5. Detailed agenda (180’)

0–12’ Opening and ground rules (12’)

Goal
safety and framing.
Instructions
workshop goal and outputs; ground rules (voluntary participation, confidentiality, right to pause, no personal data). Hand out NL1–NL9.

12–22’ Icebreaker “My ideal rental” (10’)

Goal
set priorities.
Instructions
everyone writes 3 “must‑haves” (e.g., a written contract, clear utilities, photo condition report). Collect on a flipchart and group: contract, payments, comfort/rules.

22–30’ Mentimeter PRE (8’)

30–62’ MODULE 1 — Before signing: listing, viewing, verification (32’)

Goal
choose an offer safely.
Materials
NL1 + mock listings.
Instructions

NL1 — checklist: address/size/rooms; condition of installations/windows/appliances; contract and deposit; utilities (water/electricity/gas/internet); co‑living rules; photos; administrator/community; waste/parking; meter readings copies.

Red flags
cash‑only payments without confirmations; “contract later”; no consent for a condition report and photos; unclear legal title to the property on the offeror’s side.
Exercise (12’): tables analyse 3 fictional ads → mark “OK / QUESTION / RISK” on NL1 + list 5 questions for the landlord.
Criterion
each group has a completed NL1 and 5 questions.

62–97’ MODULE 2 — Rental agreement: clauses and negotiation (35’)

Goal
understand clauses and propose changes.
Materials
NL2 + contract excerpts.
Instructions (mini‑input 10’): elements: parties and details; property description; lease term; rent and utilities (what’s included/settlement rules); deposit (amount, return, deductions); condition report; repairs and responsibility rules; subletting/guests; pets; notice/termination; attachments.
Negotiation (10’): example counter‑clauses (e.g., deposit return deadline, clarifying the condition report and meters, rules for minor repairs vs breakdowns).
Exercise (15’): in pairs, analyse a contract excerpt and complete NL2: which clauses are OK and which need clarification; write 1–2 proposed changes.
Criterion
Completed NL2 + 1 counter‑clause per pair.

97–107’ BREAK (10’)

107–137’ MODULE 3 — Handover protocol + photo documentation + deposit (30’)

Goal
secure a safe start to the lease.
Materials
NL3, NL4, NL5.
Instructions

NL3 — protocol: inventory/rooms list, meter readings, keys/remotes; signatures of both sides; date/time.

NL4 — photo report: shot list (each room, corners, walls, windows, appliances, bathroom, meters; photos with date, close‑ups and wide shots, cloud copy).

NL5 — deposit: amount/account; timeline: payment → tenancy period → settlement of damages/utilities → return by the contract deadline; when and what can be deducted (general).

Exercise (12’): room handover simulation: in groups of three complete NL3 + NL4 photo list for 1 room; write meter readings and key numbers.

Criterion
complete NL3 + NL4 (list) and the NL5 timeline.

137–162’ MODULE 4 — Repairs, utilities and reporting (25’)

Goal
solve problems quickly and document them.
Materials
NL6 (matrix), NL8 (letters).
Instructions

NL6 — who is responsible for what: light bulbs/seals/siphons → normal wear (often on the tenant); failures of installations/built‑in appliances → landlord (according to the contract and regulations—general); RULE: report in writing (email/SMS) with a description, date and photos.

Utilities
how to record meter readings and settle periodically; keep bills and confirmations in a folder YYYY‑MM_Apartment.

NL8 — letters: fault report; request for repair by a deadline; request for deposit settlement; confirmation of handing over keys.

Exercise (10’): write 1 short letter (A2–B2) “washing machine fault report” using NL8; partner uses a checklist (date, photos, request, deadline, contact).

Criterion
correct letter + list of attachments.

162–175’ MODULE 5 — Ending the lease / giving notice (13’)

Goal
leave the tenancy with documents in order.
Materials
NL7, NL3–NL4 (for moving out).
Instructions

NL7 — decision tree: end by contract/settlement agreement; notice on grounds set in the contract/regulations (general); deadlines and written form; handover of the property (move‑out protocol + photos + meter readings + keys).

Move‑out sequence
cleaning → “after” photos → meter readings → protocol → keys → letter about returning the deposit (deadline and account).
Exercise (6’): in pairs, fill in a short notice/settlement (NL7) for the case: “a fixed‑term lease is ending”.
Criterion
ready NL7 draft.

175–180’ Mentimeter POST + 30‑day plan (5’)

Goal
wrap‑up and implementation.
Instructions
the same 3 questions; on NL9 write 3 steps/30 days (e.g., “I’ll create a protocol template and photo list”, “I’ll prepare questions for the landlord”, “I’ll set up a folder for bills”).

6. Facilitation best practices

Plain language (A2–B2)
short sentences, pictograms on cards; explain terms.
Neutrality
the facilitator is not a party to the dispute; they refer participants to official procedures and support (NGOs/institutions).
Documents
always keep copies and confirmations; keep correspondence in writing; photos with dates.
Links
scenario 24 (roommate mediation), 14 (household budget), 15 (cybersecurity of documents), 22 (transport—commuting), 25 (payments/deposit).

7. Adaptations, plan B, options

Language barrier
NL2/NL8 versions with PL↔UA phrases; mixed‑language pairs; pictograms; a mini‑glossary at the end of cards.
Small group (≤10): more 1:1 time for contract analysis; simulation of a full apartment handover.
Less time (120’): M1 20’, M2 30’, M3 25’, M4 25’, M5 20’; NL9 as homework.
More time (+30’): add the module “short‑term rentals/rooms – what to watch out for” + “final deposit settlement – examples of deductions (general)”.

8. Evaluation and reporting indicators

Mentimeter PRE/POST — 3 questions (section 4).

Outputs
NL1–NL9 (photo/scan).
NL‑R rubric (0–2 points per criterion, max 10):

NL1 — viewing and questions,

NL2 — contract analysis and counter‑clauses,

NL3–NL4 — protocol + photo documentation,

NL5–NL6 — deposit and repairs,

NL7–NL9 — ending/notice and a 30‑day plan.

Interpretation
0–3 getting started; 4–7 solid; 8–10 ready to act.

9. Printable attachments + extra materials

NL1–NL9, NL‑R and extra practice cards (fictional examples).