The rent tribunal: how to complain about your landlord

What is the rent tribunal?

The rent tribunal (huslejenævnet) is an independent, municipal body that decides disputes between tenants and landlords in private tenancies. There is a rent tribunal in every municipality, and they handle, among other things, cases about:

• Rent that is too high (rent regulation)
• Defects in the property
• Move-out settlements: disagreement about the deposit and restoration
• The landlord's access to the property
• Rent increases: are they valid?
• Water and heating accounts

The rent tribunal is a cheap alternative to the courts. The fee is DKK 367 (2026), and the tribunal decides the case in writing.

When can you complain to the rent tribunal?

You can complain to the rent tribunal if you are a tenant in a private tenancy. The following are not covered:

• Social housing (contact the residents' complaints board)
• Cooperative and owner-occupied housing (other rules)
• Commercial leases (decided by the courts)

The rent tribunal is governed by the Housing Conditions Act (lov om boligforhold). The tribunal does not handle actual claims for damages; that is a matter for the courts.

Note: in the tenancy reform that entered into force on 1 July 2022, the former Rent Act and the Housing Regulation Act were merged into a new Rent Act and the Housing Conditions Act. The Housing Regulation Act (boligreguleringsloven) therefore no longer exists as a separate law, and references to "section 5 of the Housing Regulation Act" have been replaced by the rules in the new Rent Act.

The most common types of complaint

1. Rent that is too high

In regulated municipalities (municipalities that have decided on housing regulation), the rent is limited. The rent is as a rule set either on a cost-based principle or by the value of the leased property, that is, what similar flats in the same area are let for.

For substantially improved (modernised) properties, the rent can be set higher by the value of the leased property, but this requires, among other things, that the property has been substantially improved for an amount exceeding an annually adjusted threshold (calculated either per m² or per unit). Before a substantial improvement, the landlord can ask the rent tribunal for a prior approval under section 19 of the Rent Act.

If you think your rent is too high, you can complain to the rent tribunal, which compares with similar properties in the area.

2. Defects in the property

The landlord must hand over the property in good and proper condition and maintain it during the tenancy. Defects on move-in, or defects the landlord does not remedy after a written demand, can be brought before the rent tribunal.

Important rule: always give the landlord written notice of the defect and a reasonable deadline to remedy it before you complain. Keep all documentation.

3. Move-out settlement

This is one of the most frequent types of case. The rent tribunal can handle disputes about:

• The landlord's claim for restoration on moving out
• Withholding of the deposit
• The validity of the move-out report
• Normal wear and tear versus damage the tenant is liable for

Be aware: the landlord must as a rule make their restoration claim within a short deadline after the move-out inspection, otherwise the claim can lapse. If you disagree with the landlord's statement, you should object in writing and promptly and then bring the case before the rent tribunal.

4. Rent increase

A rent increase must comply with the rules. An increase by the value of the leased property must as a rule be given with at least 3 months' notice and must be reasoned. If you disagree, you can object within 6 weeks of receiving the notice, after which the landlord must bring the case before the rent tribunal if the increase is maintained.

5. The landlord's access to the property

The landlord only has access to the property with reasonable notice, or without notice in the event of acute danger or damage. Unauthorised access can be brought before the tribunal.

How to complain, step by step

Step 1: gather documentation

• The tenancy agreement
• The correspondence with the landlord (emails, letters, texts)
• Photos of the property and any defects
• The move-in and move-out reports
• Receipts and proof of payment

Step 2: find your rent tribunal The rent tribunal is municipal. Find yours on your municipality's website.

Step 3: file the complaint Most municipalities have a digital complaint form. State what you are complaining about, what you want the tribunal to decide, and attach your documentation.

Step 4: pay the fee The fee is DKK 367 (2026). The case is not processed until the fee is paid. If a tenant fully succeeds, the landlord can be ordered to pay a special fee to the tribunal.

Step 5: await the decision The tribunal decides the case in writing, and both parties get the chance to comment. The processing time is typically a few months.

What can the rent tribunal decide?

The rent tribunal can, among other things:

• Reduce the rent to the value of the leased property or the cost-based level
• Order the landlord to remedy defects
• Set aside a restoration claim in whole or in part
• Decide whether the deposit should be repaid
• Decide whether a rent increase is valid

The tribunal's decision can be brought before the housing court within 4 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Can the landlord complain to the rent tribunal against the tenant?

Yes, the rent tribunal handles complaints from both parties. The landlord can, for example, complain about the tenant's lack of maintenance.

What does it cost to complain to the rent tribunal?

The fee is DKK 367 (2026). There are no lawyer's costs, as the tribunal decides the case in writing and informally.

Can I complain even though my landlord is private and only lets one flat?

Yes. The rent tribunal handles private rental disputes, whether the landlord is a professional letting company or a private person letting a single flat.