Electricity, Water & Heat: Who Pays in Denmark for Tenants
As a tenant in Denmark, questions about who pays for electricity, water and heating can be both practical and legal. This guide explains clearly which costs typically fall to tenants or landlords, how your lease and the Rent Act affect responsibility, and what steps you can take if you disagree. You will get concrete advice on reading meters, documenting faults and defects, and how to report an issue to the rent tribunal or the courts if necessary. Language and examples are kept simple so you can quickly find your rights, deadlines for complaints and which documents will help you in a case. Read on for step-by-step guidance.
Who pays what?
In many rental situations, responsibility is distributed like this: the tenant pays for their own consumption of electricity, water and heating when there are individual meters. The landlord is typically responsible for main installations, central heating and fixed common expenses unless otherwise stated in the lease or agreed in writing [1].
- The tenant pays for their own consumption of electricity and hot water when there are separate meters.
- The tenant often pays for shared heating via advance payments or distributed settlement.
- The landlord pays for fixed installations, repair of heating and water systems and structural faults.
- The tenant may be responsible for minor repairs or damage caused by the tenant if it is stated in the contract.
How to handle disputes
Start by communicating with the landlord in writing and keep all messages and receipts. If you cannot agree, you can file a complaint with the rent tribunal or seek guidance via borger.dk [2]. In serious cases, the matter may proceed to the district court.
It is important to meet deadlines for objections and requests for inspection and valuation. Lack of response can weaken your case.
How to document problems
- Take clear photos or videos of damage and faults.
- Keep a log of dates for faults, meter readings and contact attempts.
- Keep the lease, receipts and prior correspondence.
- Contact local advice or the rent tribunal for guidance if necessary [3].
FAQ
- Who pays for heating in an older building?
- It depends on whether there is shared heating or individual meters; read your contract and ask the landlord. See the Rent Act for rules on heating.[1]
- Can the landlord demand that I pay extra for heating?
- Only if it is stated in the lease or agreed; wrongful demands can be brought before the rent tribunal.[3]
- What do I do if there is no heating?
- Contact the landlord immediately in writing, document the problem, and seek guidance from borger.dk or the rent tribunal if the landlord does not respond.[2]
How to
- Check your lease for provisions on payment of electricity, water and heating.
- Document consumption and faults with photos, meter readings and receipts.
- Contact the landlord in writing and keep the communication.
- If you cannot resolve it, file a complaint with the rent tribunal or follow guidance on borger.dk.
- Attend any hearing or negotiation and bring all documentation.
Help and support
- [1] Retsinformation: Rent Act
- [2] Borger.dk: Complaints and guidance
- [3] Rent tribunal: Local complaint body
