Etat des Lieux with expert?

hire one

I think you have to have one to cover yourself.

Suspicious that they don't want one!!!

It depends. We have always done ous with the landlord. We took LOTS and LOTS of pictures of everything. We made descriptions of everything - anything that was wrong or not in the best condition. We always do a look over and take pictures and then go again after the owner has looked over everything and make an changes agreed together. With pictures I have never had an issues at all at exit and always get my deposit back. Last time for instance my dog chewed a door stop so we had to get a new one. Issue was the old was was installed improperly so we couldn't remove. The owner got the new one from us, but had to handle the install since the old was was done improperly. Knowing the condition of the place and having a good relationship with the owner is important. I personally do not trust the experts and would hate to have one decide my fate. Much easier to negotiate with the owners especially with photo proof. Another example the owner had the kitchen installed but the dishwasher couldn't be taken out with out part of the kitchen being taken apart. She had to hire the people to go do it and we just paid the maintenance repair for the dishwasher as normal.

Also materials - example we were asked to replace a door frame once. The door frame was MDF and she asked for an oak frame to replace - not gunna happen. She got an MDF one. Also if you do it yourself specify any replacement will be done by a product of similar quality supplied by you. Owners always try to get so much and then employ people in the black to install it's a rip off.
I think doing it ourselves we have been in much better position that friends who used an expert. Plus the additional costs of the expert.

'What are the potential risks?'
That you miss something that an expert would pick up.

If you are suspicious you would assume that the landlord has some ulterior motive. If you are trusting you would assume that the landlord is trying to save money for both parties. And generally to make things more convenient.
You can, of course, get your own expert whether or not he wants one; in effect saying that you don't trust him - perhaps not the best way to start a relationship.
The important thing is to take your time. Take photos of anything and everything - particularly any damage - and supply the landlord with copies.
Are you in a position to chat with the current/former tenants to get a sense of their relationship with the landlord?

Don't assume that all landlords are evil rip-off merchants. Those that are get mentioned on this site but how often do you read of landlords giving a hand-written letter of thanks for having looked after the place so well with a big bunch of flowers for my wife?

I've rented three properties. The first two, the landlord and I did the etat des lieux ourselves. On leaving both, after 6 and 3 years respectively, we agreed that I owed the landlord nothing.

On the third rental, landlord and I each had our own expert. When I left that one, I had to pay up nearly €1,000.

To be honest, if you have a good landlord, and a good relationship with them (like my first two), then you'll be fine, with or without an expert.

I just won a court case against my previous landlord, there was no entry inspection done and to be honest I had not intended to move out for a long time, but my health disagreed. I thought I had a good relationship with the landlord and had done some upgrades with his permission. When I asked him to sign the deposit release he refused asking for it all and coming up with an amazing list of 'damages', I went to the justice and they threw it out and I got my deposit back. If you do not get one done by a professional take lots of photos and write everything down sending a copy to the landlord, and anything you do, send recorded delivery letters detailing it with photos. So it can work both ways but can be a bit stressful if it goes wrong.