When Your Tenant Moves Out: Deadlines and the Deposit

Published September 21, 2026

Short answer: If you let only one home, claim refurbishment in writing within 2 weeks of the moving-out day, or lose the claim (section 187(2) of the Danish Rent Act). If you let several, hold a move-out inspection within 2 weeks, hand over a report and claim within 2 weeks of it. Then settle the deposit without undue delay.

Your tenant has given notice, and in a few weeks the apartment will be empty. For many private landlords, it's the first time they've had to settle a tenancy – and this is where an overlooked deadline can cost the whole claim for refurbishment.

Before the Tenant Moves Out

Viewings: Once the tenancy has been terminated, the tenant must give access so you can show the home. The tenant sets the time, but it must be at least 2 hours every other weekday (section 186(1) of the Rent Act).
New address: The tenant must give you an address for your claims no later than 8 days before moving out (section 186(2)). If you don't get one, the explanatory notes to the law say you must try to find it yourself, for example via the civil register (folkeregistret).
Timing: Unless otherwise agreed, the home must be vacated by 12 noon on the moving-out day (section 187(1)).

Rent Out Only One Home? Then the Deadline Runs From the Moving-Out Day

You don't have to hold a move-out inspection – but you must still make your claims no later than 2 weeks after the moving-out day, or you lose them. How many apartments you rent out is assessed at the time of moving out. According to the explanatory notes to the law:

The deadline typically runs from when the tenant hands in the keys, and weekends and public holidays count.
The claim must be specific enough for the tenant to see which work they're being asked to pay for.
If you send the claim by post, the deadline is met if the letter was sent in time to arrive normally before the deadline expires.
The deadline can't be extended by agreement – except for certain agreements made before 1 July 2015.

Hidden damage that couldn't be seen in an ordinary walkthrough is exempt. So go through the home with the tenant on the moving-out day, take dated photos, and send your claims in writing the same week.

Rent Out Several? Inspection, Invitation and Report

Duty	Deadline
Hold a move-out inspection	Within 2 weeks of learning the tenant has moved out (section 187(3))
Invite the tenant	In writing, at least 1 week before the inspection (section 187(3))
Hand over the move-out report	At the inspection – or send it within 2 weeks if the tenant isn't there or won't sign for it (section 187(4))
Make your claims	Within 2 weeks of the inspection, and only what's in the report (section 187(2))

If you don't follow the rules, the whole claim for refurbishment lapses (section 187(5)). The same applies if the lease was signed on or after 1 July 2015 and you didn't hold a move-in inspection and hand over a move-in report when the tenant moved in – except for damage the tenant is responsible for (section 90(3)). The 1-week notice can only be shortened by agreement with the tenant once the tenancy has been terminated. Get the agreement in writing.

What Can You Require Refurbished – and What Not?

The tenant must hand the home back in the same condition it was taken over in, except for ordinary wear that doesn't fall under the tenant's maintenance duty (section 187(1)). You can't require the home to be left in better condition than at move-in, and you can't agree that the tenant must refurbish anything other than what the tenant has the maintenance duty for (section 115(1)).

If you have the interior maintenance yourself, you can only require damage to be repaired – plus locks and keys.
If the tenant has the interior maintenance, you can require the necessary painting, whitewashing, wallpapering and floor treatment that should have been done during the tenancy.
If you replace something old with something new after damage, the explanatory notes say a deduction must be made for the increase in value you receive.
You may choose the tradespeople yourself, but the costs must be documented – with invoices or, if the work hasn't been done yet, a quote.

See where wear ends and damage begins in Wear and Tear vs. Damage.

How to Write a Settlement the Tenant Can Follow

The example is made up. The tenant paid a deposit of 3 × 9,500 kr. and has the interior maintenance:

Item	Amount
Deposit paid	28,500 kr.
Painting two rooms (quote enclosed)	−8,200 kr.
New key to replace a lost one (invoice enclosed)	−450 kr.
Held back for the heating statement	−1,200 kr.
Paid out now	18,650 kr.

Enclose documentation for each deduction, and state when the amount held back will be settled.

When Must the Deposit Be Repaid?

The law sets no deadline. According to the explanatory notes to the law, the settlement should happen without undue delay and within 4 weeks. You may hold back a reasonable amount for a utility statement that hasn't been settled yet – but only what the tenant can be expected to owe. If the tenant asks for payment in writing, you must pay interest once 30 days have passed (section 3(2) of renteloven, the Danish Interest Act). The deposit doesn't earn interest during the tenancy. See also Deposits for Landlords.

If the Tenant Disagrees

Disputes about refurbishment and the deposit are decided by huslejenævnet (the local rent tribunal) (section 190 of the Rent Act). Whoever brings the case pays 367 kr. (2026), and if the tenant wins in full, you must pay 7,027 kr. (2026) to the tribunal. The amounts are adjusted annually. A claim that's made on time, itemised and documented is your best protection. LejLet.nu only puts you in touch with the tenant and isn't a party to the tenancy – we don't handle deposits, inspections or settlements.