If you believe your landlord's refusal is unjustified, you can bring the case before huslejenævnet (or beboerklagenævnet, if you live in an almen bolig). Here is the full process.
Before you complain, you should check the following:
- Residence requirement: Have you lived in the home for at least 3 consecutive years?
- Genuine occupation: Has the home been your primary address for the whole period?
- No previous swap: Have you swapped homes within the last 3 years?
If the answer is yes, yes and no — then you have a strong case. See also Do you need permission from your landlord? for a detailed walkthrough of the permission process.
Send a formal, written request for a housing swap to your landlord. Include:
- The name and current address of the person you want to swap with
- Documentation that you meet the 3-year requirement (e.g. an extract from CPR, the Danish civil registration system)
- The desired date for the swap
Important: Send the letter by recorded delivery or as digital post with a receipt, so that you have proof of dispatch.
The landlord has 6 weeks to raise an objection to the swap (a recommended deadline — Lejeloven does not set a specific reply deadline for housing swaps). If the landlord does not respond within a reasonable period, you can bring the case before huslejenævnet.
If the landlord refuses, the refusal must be in writing and justified.
If the landlord refuses the swap and you believe the refusal is unjustified, you can complain to:
- Private rented housing: huslejenævnet in your municipality
- Almen bolig: beboerklagenævnet in your municipality
You can find your local tribunal on your municipality's website or via huslejenaevn.dk.
Your complaint must contain:
- Your name, address and telephone number
- The landlord's name and address
- A copy of your tenancy agreement
- A copy of your written swap request
- A copy of the landlord's refusal (with justification)
- Your own account of why the refusal is unjustified
- Documentation of your period of residence (a CPR extract or similar)
- Payment of the fee: 367 kr. (Source: huslejenævnet's fee scheme)
Most municipalities accept digital submission via their website.
Once you have submitted, the following happens:
- The tribunal sends the complaint to the landlord, who is given the opportunity to comment
- The tribunal may obtain further information from both parties
- A physical meeting is typically not held — the case is decided on the written material
- Expected processing time: 2-4 months (varies between municipalities)
Important: While the case is being processed, you must stay put in your current home. You may not carry out the swap before the tribunal has reached a decision, unless the landlord agrees to it in the meantime.
