Most Danish rental contracts use the same standard form — Typeformular A — which means the printed sections are mostly safe. The traps live in the money fields and in one specific box: § 11, "special terms". Here is what to check in English, before you sign anything.
The money: what the landlord may legally demand
| Item | Legal maximum | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit (depositum) | 3 months' rent | Covers repairs at move-out — document EVERYTHING at move-in |
| Prepaid rent (forudbetalt leje) | 3 months' rent (matches your notice period) | You "live it up" during your notice period at the end |
| Up-front total | First month + deposit + prepaid = up to 7 months' rent | More than that is not legal — walk away or dispute |
§ 11: where the traps live
Typeformular A's printed sections follow the Rent Act. § 11 is the free-text box where the landlord writes "special terms" — and where deviations hide: newly renovated status, special maintenance duties, house rules, staircase cleaning, pets, painting at move-out. Read every line of § 11 as if it were the whole contract — in practice, it is the part you are actually negotiating.
Non-Danish speakers: you sign what the DANISH text says — an informal English summary from the landlord has no legal weight. Get § 11 translated and explained BEFORE you sign, not after the dispute starts.
The time-limit trap
A time-limited (tidsbegrænset) contract is a fundamentally different deal: it normally cannot be terminated early — by you either. If you sign 12 months without an exit clause, you owe 12 months. Landlords also need a valid reason for time-limiting at all; an unexplained limit is worth questioning, and worth a trip to the rent tribunal (huslejenævnet) if it smells wrong.
Moving in: your 14-day evidence window
- Photograph every room, floor, wall and appliance on day one.
- Report every defect in writing within 14 days of moving in — this protects your deposit at move-out.
- Keep the report and the photos with your contract.
If you ever miss a rent payment
The landlord cannot terminate on the spot: they must send a written payment warning (påkrav), and you then have 14 days to pay the missing rent (plus a small fixed fee) before termination can proceed. If you get one: pay within the window, in full, and keep the receipt.
About to sign — but unsure what § 11 says?
Upload the contract (photo or PDF) — Sofia checks the deposit, prepaid rent, time limits and every special term in § 11, explained in plain English. Free to try, no login.
Check my rental contractFrequently asked questions
How much deposit is legal in Denmark?
Max 3 months' rent as deposit, plus max 3 months' prepaid rent, plus the first month — up to 7 months' rent up front in total. Demands beyond that are not legal.
What is § 11 in a Danish rental contract?
The free-text "special terms" section of the standard form Typeformular A — the only place the landlord can deviate from the standard terms. Newly-renovated clauses, maintenance duties and move-out painting all hide here. Read every line before signing.
Can I terminate a time-limited rental contract early?
Normally no — a time-limited contract binds BOTH sides for the whole period unless it contains an explicit exit clause. Check before you sign, not after.
Is an English translation of the contract binding?
No — you sign the Danish text. An informal English summary has no legal weight, so get the Danish contract (especially § 11) translated and explained before signing.
What happens if I pay rent late?
The landlord must send a written payment warning (påkrav) and you then have 14 days to pay before termination can proceed. Pay in full within the window and keep the receipt.