Tenant's Guide: Budget & Debt in Denmark
As a tenant in Denmark, financial pressure from unexpected bills or debt can feel overwhelming. This article explains how tenants can access budget and debt counselling, what rights you have with respect to your landlord, and which public agencies can help. You will get concrete steps to contact debt counselling services, seek payment agreements, and document maintenance issues or extra costs that affect your finances. The text also describes how rent tribunals and borger.dk services can be used, and when it may be necessary to complain to a rent tribunal or go to court. The goal is to give you reassurance and practical tools to handle debt and budgeting as a tenant in Denmark.
What is budget and debt counselling?
Budget and debt counselling helps you plan income and expenses, set realistic payment agreements and understand your rights as a tenant in Denmark, including provisions in the Tenancy Act.[1]
In most regions, tenants are entitled to basic habitability standards.
Practical steps for tenants
Start by getting advice via your municipality or borger.dk to map your finances and options for support.[2]
- Contact your municipality's debt counselling or social services for financial help.
- Seek payment agreements or deferments with creditors and document agreements in writing.
- Keep bills, receipts, photos and all correspondence as evidence.
- Record maintenance expenses and notify the landlord about damages—this can affect your financial responsibility.
Keep all bills and correspondence organised and clearly labelled.
If the landlord demands payment or serves notice
If a landlord serves a notice due to unpaid rent, the rent tribunal can handle the dispute; seek advice early.[3]
Respond promptly to notices or demands to protect your rights.
FAQ
- What should I do first if I cannot pay the rent?
- Contact debt counselling, explore the possibility of payment agreements and inform the landlord in writing.
- Can the landlord require me to pay for repairs?
- It depends on the lease and the Tenancy Act; routine maintenance is often the tenant's responsibility, while major repairs are usually the landlord's responsibility.[1]
- Where do I complain if the landlord demands unreasonable payments?
- You can complain to your local rent tribunal or seek guidance via borger.dk.[2]
How to
- Contact debt counselling at your municipality for an initial meeting.
- Negotiate or apply for a written payment agreement with creditors.
- Document repairs, defects and extra costs with photos and dates.
- Submit a formal complaint to the rent tribunal if a dispute is not resolved locally.
Help and support / Resources
- Contact borger.dk for guidance and municipal services
- Read the Tenancy Act on Retsinformation
- Submit complaints or find your local rent tribunal
