Maintenance and Repairs 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?
The landlord has the primary duty to maintain the home:
- Landlord's duty: The home must be maintained in the condition agreed on move-in throughout the tenancy — including structure, plumbing, electrics, heating and common areas.
- Tenant's duty: You are responsible for internal maintenance — typically painting and minor repairs (unless the contract says otherwise).
- Defects: If the home has defects that the landlord does not remedy within a reasonable deadline, you can: deduct the repair cost from the rent, claim a rent reduction or, in serious cases, terminate the tenancy.
- Earmarked maintenance account: In regulated properties, landlords must set aside a fixed amount per square metre per year for maintenance.
When does it apply?
- Something in your rented home breaks or deteriorates — heating failure, water damage, mould, broken windows, etc.
- The landlord refuses or delays repairs.
What to do if your landlord refuses to fix a problem in your rented home in Denmark
- Report the problem to the landlord in writing (email is fine) and set a reasonable deadline for the fix.
- If the landlord does not act, bring the case before Huslejenævnet — it can order repairs and approve a rent reduction.
- In emergencies (burst pipe, no heating in winter) you can arrange the repair yourself and deduct the amount from the rent — but document everything.
- Keep photos, emails and receipts as evidence.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't withhold the entire rent — only deduct the documented cost of necessary repairs, or the amount set by Huslejenævnet.
- Don't make major changes without the landlord's written consent — you could lose your deposit or face a reinstatement claim.
- Don't delay reporting defects — you have a duty to limit the damage (e.g. report a leak before it causes further damage).
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
Who is responsible for repairs in a Danish rented home?
The landlord has the primary duty. The home must be maintained in the condition agreed on move-in throughout the tenancy — structure, plumbing, electrics, heating and common areas. The tenant is responsible for internal maintenance, typically painting and minor repairs, unless the contract says otherwise.
What can I do if my Danish landlord refuses to repair?
Report it to the landlord in writing (email is fine) and set a reasonable deadline. If the landlord does not act, bring the case before Huslejenævnet — it can order repairs and approve a rent reduction. If the defect is serious and not remedied, you can claim a rent reduction, deduct repair costs from the rent or, in extreme cases, terminate the tenancy.
Can I fix a problem myself and deduct it from the rent in Denmark?
In emergencies, e.g. a burst pipe or no heating in winter, yes — you can arrange the repair yourself and deduct the documented cost from the rent. Don't withhold the entire rent — only deduct the actual cost, or the amount set by Huslejenævnet. Keep photos, emails and receipts, and don't delay reporting it; you have a duty to limit the damage.
What is the maintenance and repairs right in Denmark?
The landlord has the primary duty to maintain the home:Landlord's duty: The home must be maintained in the condition agreed on move-in throughout the tenancy — including structure, plumbing, electrics, heating and common areas.Tenant's duty: You are responsible for internal maintenance — typically painting and minor repairs (unless the contract says otherwise).Defects: If the home has defects that the landlord does not remedy within a reasonable deadline, you can: deduct the repair cost from the rent, claim a rent reduction or, in serious cases, terminate the tenancy.Earmarked maintenance...
When does it apply — maintenance and repairs?
Something in your rented home breaks or deteriorates — heating failure, water damage, mould, broken windows, etc.The landlord refuses or delays repairs.
What should I do if my landlord ignores my repair requests or does not maintain the home in Denmark?
Report the problem to the landlord in writing (email is fine) and set a reasonable deadline for the fix.If the landlord does not act, bring the case before Huslejenævnet — it can order repairs and approve a rent reduction.In emergencies (burst pipe, no heating in winter) you can arrange the repair yourself and deduct the amount from the rent — but document everything.Keep photos, emails and receipts as evidence.
What should you NOT do — maintenance and repairs?
Don't withhold the entire rent — only deduct the documented cost of necessary repairs, or the amount set by Huslejenævnet.Don't make major changes without the landlord's written consent — you could lose your deposit or face a reinstatement claim.Don't delay reporting defects — you have a duty to limit the damage (e.g. report a leak before it causes further damage).