What is a deposit (depositum)?
A deposit is a security payment made when you move in, which your landlord can use to cover costs when you move out — such as repairs, cleaning, or unpaid rent.
What is the maximum allowed?
Under Danish tenancy law (updated 1 July 2022), landlords may charge a maximum of 3 months' rent as a deposit (depositum) plus up to 3 months' prepaid rent (forudbetalt leje) — 6 months' rent between them at most (lejeloven § 59). Note that ongoing rent comes on top: you also pay rent for the period you actually live there, so budget for more than 6 months' rent in cash at move-in. Prepaid rent is used to cover your last months of rent; the deposit is refunded minus any deductions. If your landlord asks for more than 3 months' deposit, this is unlawful.
What can your landlord deduct?
Legitimate deductions:
- Damage beyond normal wear and tear
- Insufficient cleaning (if the property is returned in worse condition than when you moved in)
- Repainting or repairs specifically required by the tenancy agreement
- Unpaid rent or utility charges
Not legitimate:
- Normal wear and tear — it's expected that an apartment looks used after a few years
- Damage that existed when you moved in (this is why a move-in inspection report matters)
- Improvements — the landlord cannot deduct because something is in better condition than before
General rule: the older and more worn the apartment was when you moved in, the more counts as normal wear and tear, and the fewer deductions are justified.
When should you get your deposit back?
Danish tenancy law sets no fixed deadline for the repayment itself — it must happen without undue delay once the move-out accounting is complete. In practice 4–6 weeks is normal, and up to 8 weeks happens.
The hard deadline is on the claim, not the refund: the landlord must tell you the scope of the repairs and your share of the cost within 14 days of the move-out inspection. Miss that, and the claim against you falls away — meaning the full deposit comes back.
What if you disagree with the deductions?
Ask your landlord for a written itemised statement with receipts. Compare it against your move-in and move-out inspection reports. If you still disagree, complain to the Huslejenævn (Rent Tribunal) in your municipality — it's free. The tribunal can order landlords to repay unjustified deductions.
Upload your move-out document to Elify for a plain-language explanation of what can and can't be deducted in your specific case.
