Who Pays Rent Reduction During Renovation in Denmark
When your home undergoes renovation, you as a tenant may experience disturbances or reduced usability — and you may request a rent reduction. This guide explains clearly which situations in Denmark can justify a rent reduction claim, who typically pays, and how to document damage or disturbances. You will get step-by-step advice on contacting the landlord, submitting claims to the rent tribunal or the courts, and which deadlines and evidence are important. The text is written for tenants without legal background and includes relevant links to official sources and complaint options. You will also find explanations of how reductions are calculated, what happens with temporary rehousing, and which evidence such as photos, correspondence and professional reports strengthens your case.
What does the law say?
The Rent Act (Lejeloven) and the Housing Regulation Act (Boligreguleringsloven) set the framework for rent and reductions in Denmark, and as a tenant you are entitled to a habitable home. The landlord must remedy defects, and if you cannot agree, the case can be decided by the rent tribunal or the courts.[1]
When can you demand a reduction?
- If the renovation makes the home significantly less usable or unsafe.
- If noise, dust or lack of heating continue for a long time and affect your daily use.[2]
- If improvements are carried out without agreement and reduce your access or use.
How to document your claim
- Take photos and video before, during and after the work.
- Keep all written messages and emails with dates and times.
- Obtain a professional assessment if there is doubt about the extent of the damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who pays the rent reduction during renovation?
- As a rule, you as a tenant can claim a reduction from the landlord, but concrete decisions are made by the rent tribunal or the courts.
- Is rent automatically reduced during temporary rehousing?
- Not always; it depends on whether the rehousing is due to the landlord's work and how much the home's usability has been reduced.
- How do I complain if the landlord refuses to reduce the rent?
- You can submit a complaint to the rent tribunal or consult Borger.dk for guidance on the process.[3]
How to
- Contact the landlord in writing and describe the problem, demanding remedy and any rent reduction.
- Set a reasonable deadline for remedy and gather documentation (photos, correspondence, assessments).
- If you do not agree, submit a complaint to the rent tribunal via their website or use guidance on Borger.dk. Go to the Rent Tribunal [3]
Key takeaways
- As a tenant you may claim a reduction if the home loses habitability.
- Documentation such as photos and correspondence is crucial.
- The rent tribunal is often the first place to file a complaint before court.
Help and Support / Resources
- Lejeloven on Retsinformation
- Borger.dk: complaints and tenant rights
- The Rent Tribunal official portal
