Deposits and Prepaid Rent
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Danish Acts of Parliament (love), executive orders (bekendtgørelser), and official government guidance.
Danish National Law
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 should you do?
- 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.
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