Deposit and Prepaid Rent in Denmark (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
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 limits the amounts a landlord can charge in advance:
- Deposit: Maximum 3 months' rent.
- Prepaid rent: Maximum 3 months' rent — used to cover the final months of the tenancy.
- Total prepayment: The combined deposit and prepaid rent may not exceed 6 months' rent (plus the first month's rent on move-in).
- The deposit is held to cover damage beyond ordinary wear and tear on move-out — the landlord must document all deductions.
When does it apply?
- You sign a new residential lease in Denmark.
- You move out and expect a refund of your deposit.
What to do if your landlord unlawfully withholds your deposit in Denmark
- Document the home's condition on move-in — take dated photos of every room.
- Ask for a move-in report from the landlord — for properties with multiple units the landlord is obliged to prepare one.
- On move-out the landlord must hold a move-out inspection within 2 weeks and provide a written list of deductions. If the landlord misses this deadline, they lose the right to claim from the deposit (for landlords with multiple units).
- If you disagree with the deductions, bring the case before Huslejenævnet.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't pay more than 3 months' rent as a deposit — anything beyond that is unlawful and can be reclaimed.
- Don't skip the move-in inspection — without documentation it is your word against the landlord's on move-out.
- Don't accept vague deduction claims — the landlord must itemise and document each deduction.
About Housing Rights in Denmark
Your tenancy in Denmark is covered by Lejeloven (the Tenancy Act) and has strong protections. In regulated municipalities (including Copenhagen) the rent for properties built before 1992 is limited by the property's value rather than the market price. The deposit is limited to 3 months' rent plus up to 3 months' prepaid rent. The landlord must carry out a move-out inspection within 2 weeks. Termination requires specific statutory grounds (own use, demolition, breach), and you can challenge it before Huslejenævnet (the Rent Tribunal) and the courts. Social housing follows the separate Almenlejelov.
Common Questions
How much deposit can a Danish landlord legally charge?
Under Lejeloven the deposit is limited to 3 months' rent. A landlord can also charge up to 3 months' prepaid rent, which covers the final months of the tenancy. In total, the prepayment may not exceed 6 months' rent plus the first month's rent. Anything beyond that is unlawful and can be reclaimed.
What should I do on move-in to protect my deposit in Denmark?
Document the home's condition with dated photos of every room. Ask for a move-in report — for properties with multiple units the landlord is obliged to prepare one. Without documentation it is your word against the landlord's on 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, a missed deadline means they lose the right to claim from the deposit. Deductions must cover damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. If you disagree with deductions, bring the case before Huslejenævnet.
What is the deposit and prepaid rent right in Denmark?
Danish law limits the amounts a landlord can charge in advance:Deposit: Maximum 3 months' rent.Prepaid rent: Maximum 3 months' rent — used to cover the final months of the tenancy.Total prepayment: The combined deposit and prepaid rent may not exceed 6 months' rent (plus the first month's rent on move-in).The deposit is held to cover damage beyond ordinary wear and tear on move-out — the landlord must document all deductions.
When does it apply — deposit and prepaid rent?
You sign a new residential lease in Denmark.You move out and expect a refund of your deposit.
What should I do if my landlord refuses to refund my deposit or makes unjustified deductions in Denmark?
Document the home's condition on move-in — take dated photos of every room.Ask for a move-in report from the landlord — for properties with multiple units the landlord is obliged to prepare one.On move-out the landlord must hold a move-out inspection within 2 weeks and provide a written list of deductions. If the landlord misses this deadline, they lose the right to claim from the deposit (for landlords with multiple units).If you disagree with the deductions, bring the case before Huslejenævnet.
What should you NOT do — deposit and prepaid rent?
Don't pay more than 3 months' rent as a deposit — anything beyond that is unlawful and can be reclaimed.Don't skip the move-in inspection — without documentation it is your word against the landlord's on move-out.Don't accept vague deduction claims — the landlord must itemise and document each deduction.