Do I have to pay rent during the 14-day notice period in Denmark?

Thanks to ketut subiyanto for the picture.

“You have to move out 14 days before your contract ends.”

This is something many rental companies and landlords ask tenants who live in a rented apartment in Denmark.

But are they actually allowed to require this?

It depends on what is stated in your rental contract, more specifically under § 11, where any special terms and conditions of the tenancy are listed.

You should check whether your contract contains wording like this, or something similar. However, we can already tell you that this is a very common condition in Danish rental agreements.

«…Lejer skal fraflytte lejemålet 14 kalenderdage før fraflytningsdato, således at udlejer og håndværkere har tid til at istandsætte lejemålet...»

This means that the tenant must vacate the property 14 calendar days (10 working days) before the official move-out date, giving the landlord and contractors time to carry out any necessary refurbishment or preparation before the next tenancy begin.

What should you do in this situation?

For example:

If your tenancy ends on 31 January and your rental contract states that you must move out 14 days before the end date, you would have to leave the property on 17 January.

These are calendar days, which means that weekends and public holidays are included.

Many people assume that the 14 days refer to working days, but this is not the case. If the contract refers to working days, it will normally specifically state 10 working days instead.

Your contract should also explain what you are required to do once you move out.

If you rented the apartment in a newly renovated or refurbished condition, you may be required to return it in a similar condition. This can include painting, repairing wooden parts of doors and windows, deep cleaning and, in some cases, floor sanding or polishing.

Keep in mind that this work may need to be carried out professionally. If you arrange the work yourself, the landlord may ask you to provide invoices proving that it was completed by a professional company.

If the landlord or rental company arranges the work, the cost may be deducted from the deposit you paid at the beginning of the tenancy.

During this period, the tenant is also normally responsible for paying the utilities associated with the property.

In other cases, the apartment may have been handed over without being newly renovated. In that situation, you will generally only be required to return it in at least the same condition as when you moved in.

Professional cleaning is usually required in all cases.

Looking for a rental home in Copenhagen? We can help you.

Do I have to pay rent for those 14 days?

If the landlord requires those 14 days to carry out refurbishment or prepare the property, and this is clearly stated in your rental contract, you are normally still required to pay rent for the entire contractual rental period.

If you have any doubts about your specific situation, you can always seek professional advice. Here are a few organisations that may be able to help:

• DIGURA
• RENTHERO
• LLO

Remember, at Bienvenido a Copenhague, we can help you find rental accommodation in Copenhagen and the surrounding areas, as well as provide guidance if you are looking for work in Denmark.

If you have decided to move to Copenhagen, whether you are coming with your family or on your own, you can contact us for advice and guidance on the things you may be concerned about and make your move to Denmark easier.

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