Deposits and Prepaid Rent in Denmark
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Danish Acts of Parliament (love), executive orders (bekendtgørelser), and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Danish law caps the amounts a landlord can collect upfront:
- Security deposit (depositum): Maximum 3 months' rent.
- Prepaid rent (forudbetalt leje): Maximum 3 months' rent — used to cover the last months of the tenancy.
- Total upfront: The combined deposit and prepaid rent cannot exceed 6 months' rent (plus the first month's rent on move-in).
- The deposit is held to cover damage beyond normal wear and tear at move-out — the landlord must document any deductions.
When does it apply?
- You are signing a new residential lease in Denmark.
- You are moving out and expecting return of your deposit.
What to Do If Your Landlord Is Withholding Your Deposit Illegally in Denmark
- Document the condition of the property at move-in — take dated photos of every room.
- Request a move-in inspection report (indflytningsrapport) from the landlord — for properties with multiple units, the landlord is required to prepare one.
- At move-out, the landlord must hold an inspection within 2 weeks and provide a written list of deductions. If they miss this deadline, they lose the right to claim from the deposit (for landlords with multiple units).
- If you dispute the deductions, file a complaint with the Huslejenævnet.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't pay more than 3 months' rent as deposit — anything above that is illegal and can be reclaimed.
- Don't skip the move-in inspection — without documentation, it is your word against the landlord's at move-out.
- Don't accept vague deduction claims — the landlord must itemise and document each deduction.
Common Questions
How much deposit can a Danish landlord legally ask for?
Under the Lejeloven, the security deposit (depositum) is capped at 3 months' rent. A landlord can also ask for up to 3 months' prepaid rent (forudbetalt leje), which covers the final months of the tenancy. Combined upfront cannot exceed 6 months' rent, plus the first month's rent. Anything above this is illegal and can be reclaimed.
What should I do at move-in to protect my deposit in Denmark?
Document the condition of the property with dated photos of every room. Request a move-in inspection report (indflytningsrapport) — for properties with multiple units, the landlord is required to prepare one. Without documentation, it becomes your word against the landlord's at move-out, so don't skip this step.
How do I get my deposit back after moving out in Denmark?
The landlord must hold a move-out inspection within 2 weeks and provide a written, itemised list of deductions. For landlords with multiple units, missing this deadline means they forfeit the right to claim from the deposit. Deductions must cover damage beyond normal wear and tear. If you dispute deductions, file a complaint with the Huslejenævnet.
When does it apply — deposits and prepaid rent?
You are signing a new residential lease in Denmark.You are moving out and expecting return of your deposit.
What should I do if my landlord is refusing to return my deposit or making unjustified deductions in Denmark?
Document the condition of the property at move-in — take dated photos of every room.Request a move-in inspection report (indflytningsrapport) from the landlord — for properties with multiple units, the landlord is required to prepare one.At move-out, the landlord must hold an inspection within 2 weeks and provide a written list of deductions. If they miss this deadline, they lose the right to claim from the deposit (for landlords with multiple units).If you dispute the deductions, file a complaint with the Huslejenævnet.
What should you NOT do — deposits and prepaid rent?
Don't pay more than 3 months' rent as deposit — anything above that is illegal and can be reclaimed.Don't skip the move-in inspection — without documentation, it is your word against the landlord's at move-out.Don't accept vague deduction claims — the landlord must itemise and document each deduction.