Short Answer: You Typically Avoid Paying a New Deposit

When you swap housing, you typically take over the other party's lease – and with it, the depositum (deposit) already paid. This means you usually do not need to pay a new deposit, because the existing deposit is simply transferred between the parties. This can save you 30,000–60,000 DKK compared to a traditional move, where you must provide a new deposit out of your own pocket.

However, there are important details to be aware of. The rules differ depending on whether you live in an almen bolig (Danish social housing) or a private rental, and there are differences in what must be agreed in writing. This guide gives you the full overview.

Short Answer: You Typically Avoid Paying a New Deposit

What Is a Deposit – and How Much Are We Talking?

A depositum (deposit) is the amount you, as a tenant, pay to the landlord when moving in. It serves as security that you will hand back the property in proper condition when you move out.

Typical Amounts

Under lejeloven (the Danish Rent Act) § 59, the landlord can require a deposit of no more than 3 months' rent:

2-room apartment in Copenhagen: Rent approx. 8,000–12,000 DKK/month → deposit up to 24,000–36,000 DKK
3-room apartment in Copenhagen: Rent approx. 10,000–15,000 DKK/month → deposit up to 30,000–45,000 DKK
4-room apartment in a major city: Rent approx. 12,000–18,000 DKK/month → deposit up to 36,000–54,000 DKK

On top of that comes prepaid rent (also up to 3 months), so the total upfront cost for a standard move can easily reach 60,000–100,000 DKK. That is precisely why a housing swap is so attractive financially.

How Deposits Work During a Housing Swap

The Principle: The Deposit Follows the Lease

When two tenants swap homes, the leases are transferred. In practice, both parties terminate their current tenancies, and new leases are drawn up with the new tenant. The existing deposit is typically handled in one of two ways:

Direct settlement between the tenants: The outgoing tenant gets the deposit back from the landlord (after the move-out inspection), and the incoming tenant pays a new deposit. But because both parties are simultaneously moving out and moving in, the deposit amounts can often be offset directly between the parties.
Transfer via the landlord: The landlord transfers the existing deposit to the new lease. This requires the landlord's consent and is most common in almene boliger (Danish social housing).

Almene boliger (Danish social housing associations)

In almene boliger, housing swaps are governed by almenlejeloven (the Danish Social Housing Rent Act) § 69. Here the process is often more streamlined:

The housing association usually handles the deposit transfer administratively
A fraflytningssyn (move-out inspection) is carried out for both properties
Any repair and redecoration costs are deducted from the existing deposit
The new tenant only has to cover any difference in the deposit, if the rent is higher in the new home
Many housing associations have standard procedures for swaps, which makes the process easier

Private rentals

In private tenancies the process is more individual:

The landlord must approve the swap (but as a rule cannot refuse it, cf. lejeloven § 161)
The deposit is typically settled by both parties getting their deposit back after the move-out inspection, and then paying a new deposit to the new landlord
In practice, the swapping parties often agree on a direct settlement, so the money does not have to go via the landlord
Remember: the landlord may require up to 3 months' rent as a deposit under the new contract (lejeloven § 59)

Fraflytningssyn (Move-Out Inspection): A Crucial Step

In a housing swap, a fraflytningssyn (move-out inspection) must be carried out for both properties – exactly as with a normal move-out. This is where your deposit can be affected.

What happens at the move-out inspection?

The landlord reviews the condition of the property and compares it with the move-in report
Normal wear and tear (lejeloven §§ 186-189) cannot be deducted from your deposit
Damage beyond normal wear and tear can be deducted
The landlord must hold the inspection no later than 2 weeks after you move out (lejeloven §§ 186-189, subsection 3)
Claims must be raised no later than 2 weeks after the inspection

Tip: Coordinate the move-out inspections

In a housing swap it is a good idea to coordinate the move-out inspections, so that both parties know what may be deducted from the deposit before the final settlement between them.

What Should Be Agreed in Writing?

A written agreement between the swapping parties is essential. As a minimum, it should cover:

Deposit amounts for both properties and how the difference is handled
Settlement date – when the money changes hands
The result of the move-out inspection – the agreement should be conditional on the inspections having been completed
Repair and redecoration obligations – who pays for what if there is damage?
Prepaid rent – handling of any prepaid rent

Read more about contracts in our guide: Contracts for housing swaps.

5 Things to Watch Out For

Get everything in writing: Verbal agreements about deposits are hard to prove. Always make a written agreement.
Check the move-in report: Make sure to review and document the condition of your new home when you move in – that protects your deposit later on.
Know the difference in rent: If the new home has a higher rent, the required deposit may also be higher. Work out the difference in advance.
Ask the landlord early: Contact both landlords early in the process to clarify how they handle deposits in a swap.
Remember the deadlines: The landlord has 2 weeks to hold the move-out inspection and a further 2 weeks to raise any claims. Plan your timeline accordingly.

See our complete checklist: Checklist: Before you swap homes.

What Does Lejeloven Say About Deposits?

It is worth knowing the relevant statutory provisions:

Lejeloven § 59: When the tenancy is entered into, the landlord may require a deposit of up to 3 months' rent. The deposit serves as security for the tenant's obligations on moving out.
Lejeloven § 161: The tenant's right to swap homes after 3 years of residence. As a rule, the landlord cannot refuse the swap without a valid reason. Read more in our guide on Lejeloven and housing swaps.
Lejeloven §§ 186-189: Rules on moving out, repair and redecoration, and the landlord's deadlines for raising claims against the deposit.
Almenlejeloven § 69: Special rules for housing swaps in almene boliger (Danish social housing), including shorter qualifying periods.

Source: Lejeloven (the Danish Rent Act) – retsinformation.dk

Summary: How You Save Money

Situation	Typical Cost
Normal move (new lease)	60,000–100,000 DKK in deposit + prepaid rent
Housing swap (direct settlement)	0–15,000 DKK in any difference

A housing swap can therefore save you tens of thousands of kroner in upfront costs – money you would otherwise have to keep tied up while waiting to get your old deposit back.

Ready to Find Your Swap Partner?

At Byt og Flyt you can create a free profile and find tenants who want to swap homes with you. We match you with relevant swap partners so you can save on the deposit and move on to your dream home.

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What Happens to Your Deposit During a Housing Swap?

Short Answer: You Typically Avoid Paying a New Deposit

What Happens to Your Deposit During a Housing Swap?

Short Answer: You Typically Avoid Paying a New Deposit

What Is a Deposit – and How Much Are We Talking?

Typical Amounts

How Deposits Work During a Housing Swap

The Principle: The Deposit Follows the Lease

Almene boliger (Danish social housing associations)

Private rentals

Fraflytningssyn (Move-Out Inspection): A Crucial Step

What happens at the move-out inspection?

Tip: Coordinate the move-out inspections

What Should Be Agreed in Writing?

5 Things to Watch Out For

What Does Lejeloven Say About Deposits?

Summary: How You Save Money

Ready to Find Your Swap Partner?

Related articles

Landlord Refuses Your Housing Swap? How to Complain to Huslejenævnet

Housing Swap in Social Housing: The Complete Guide to KAB, 3B, and DAB

Swapping an Andelsbolig in Denmark: Rules, Board Approval and Maximum Price

Short Answer: You Typically Avoid Paying a New Deposit

Short Answer: You Typically Avoid Paying a New Deposit

What Is a Deposit – and How Much Are We Talking?

Typical Amounts

How Deposits Work During a Housing Swap

The Principle: The Deposit Follows the Lease

The Difference Between Social and Private Rentals

Almene boliger (Danish social housing associations)

Private rentals

Fraflytningssyn (Move-Out Inspection): A Crucial Step

What happens at the move-out inspection?

Tip: Coordinate the move-out inspections

What Should Be Agreed in Writing?

5 Things to Watch Out For

What Does Lejeloven Say About Deposits?

Summary: How You Save Money

Ready to Find Your Swap Partner?

Related articles

Landlord Refuses Your Housing Swap? How to Complain to Huslejenævnet

Housing Swap in Social Housing: The Complete Guide to KAB, 3B, and DAB

Swapping an Andelsbolig in Denmark: Rules, Board Approval and Maximum Price