The words in a Danish lease, and what they mean for you
A Danish lejekontrakt (lease) is usually written on a standard form, and the same handful of terms decide how much you pay up front, what you're liable for when you move out, and how you get out of the contract. These are the ones worth understanding before you sign.
depositum — the deposit
Money you pay before moving in that the landlord holds as security against damage. You get it back when you move out, minus the cost of anything you're liable to repair. The deposit can be at most three months' rent. Keep the payment receipt: it's what you'll point to when the depositum comes back short.
forudbetalt leje — prepaid rent
Rent paid in advance, on top of the deposit. Unlike the depositum, it isn't security: it's used for your last months' rent when you leave. It can also be at most three months' rent, so the most you can be asked to pay before moving in is the first month plus up to six months of deposit and prepaid rent together.
indflytningsrapport — the move-in report
A written record of the apartment's condition when you take it over. A landlord who rents out more than one home must hold an indflytningssyn (a move-in inspection) and give you the report. It matters because at move-out you can only be charged for damage that wasn't there when you moved in. If you find faults the report missed, tell the landlord in writing within 14 days of moving in.
opsigelse — notice to end the lease
At opsige is to give notice; opsigelsen is the notice itself. As a tenant you normally have three months' notice, counted to the end of a month, and the notice should be in writing. A tidsbegrænset (fixed-term) lease is different: unless the contract says otherwise, you can't give notice before the end date.
Other terms you'll meet
- husleje (rent): the monthly rent, usually without heating, water and electricity.
- aconto (on-account payment): a monthly advance for heating or water, settled against actual use once a year.
- varmeregnskab (heating statement): the yearly settlement of your aconto heating payments, either a refund or a bill.
- fraflytningssyn (move-out inspection): the landlord inspects the apartment when you leave; compare it with the move-in report.
- istandsættelse (restoration): repairs and painting at move-out. What you pay for depends on the lease and on the reports.
- huslejenævn (rent tribunal): the municipal board that settles disputes over rent, deposits and repairs.
Phrases for the viewing and the contract
Go through a lease with a landlord, choosing what to say at each step. For the viewing itself, try En fremvisning.