Rental contract template: a lawful contract for landlords in 2026

What is a rental contract template?

A rental contract template is a standardised legal document that sets out the terms for letting a home. The template ensures that the contract covers all mandatory points and complies with the current Rent Act.

In Denmark, tenancies are subject to the Rent Act, a protective law that primarily protects the tenant. That means you as a landlord cannot freely write anything in a rental contract: terms that put the tenant in a worse position than the statutory minimum are invalid.

An updated and lawful rental contract is not just good practice; it is your best protection against disputes, repayment claims and complaints to the rent tribunal.

What should a rental contract contain?

The parties' identification

State the full name and address of both landlord and tenant. If the landlord is a company, state the CVR number. If it is a sublet, state the original tenant's details.

The leased property

Describe precisely what is being let:

• The address and the precise location of the property (floor, door)
• The type: home, room or mixed use (residential and commercial)
• The size in m²
• Whether a basement, garage, parking space or other facilities are included
• Furnishings: what is included in the tenancy?

Rent and payment terms

• The level of rent: the monthly base rent
• The payment term: typically the 1st of the month
• The method of payment: a bank transfer is recommended for documentation
• Rent adjustment: whether and how the rent can rise during the tenancy

Deposit and prepaid rent

The Rent Act sets clear limits:

• Deposit: a maximum of 3 months' rent (excluding heating and electricity)
• Prepaid rent: corresponding to the notice period, but a maximum of 3 months' rent

If you demand more than these limits, the excess is invalid, and the tenant can claim it back.

The start and any end date of the lease

State the start date precisely. If the tenancy is time-limited, state the end date and the justification for the time limit. A time limit is only valid if it is sufficiently justified by the landlord's circumstances.

Notice periods

• The tenant's notice period: normally 3 months (shorter for a single room)
• The landlord's notice period: as a rule 1 year for a residential flat, and only on limited, statutory grounds

The Rent Act contains strong protection rules against the landlord's termination. You can as a rule only terminate a tenant if you want to move in yourself, the property is to be demolished or rebuilt, or the tenant materially breaches the contract.

Maintenance

State the division of the maintenance duty clearly:

• Internal maintenance (painting, wallpapering, lacquering): who is responsible?
• External maintenance (roof, façades, shared areas): typically the landlord
• White goods: who maintains and replaces them?

If there is no agreement on internal maintenance, the law's starting point applies.

Heating, water and electricity

• Is consumption included in the rent, or does the tenant pay on account?
• If on account: who supplies it, and when is it settled?
• Is there individual or shared metering?

Pets, smoking and house rules

The Rent Act lets the landlord regulate pets and smoking in the contract. Make it clear and unambiguous if you want such terms.

What you cannot validly write in your rental contract

One of the most widespread misunderstandings is that everything the parties agree is valid. It is not, in tenancy law. The following terms are invalid, regardless of whether the tenant has signed:

• A rent above what is allowed in regulated municipalities
• A deposit above 3 months' rent
• A shorter notice period than the statutory minimum to the tenant's detriment
• A requirement that the tenant pays for external maintenance contrary to the law
• A requirement for repairs on move-out beyond the rules of the law

Invalid terms can be used by the tenant as a basis for a complaint to the rent tribunal.

Move-in inspection and move-in report

For landlords who let more than one home, it is mandatory to hold a move-in inspection and prepare a move-in report. For landlords with only one home, it is not a legal requirement, but in practice indispensable.

The report documents the condition of the home on move-in day and is often your most important evidence if you want to demand payment for damage on move-out. Without documentation, the rent tribunal will normally reject a claim because you cannot prove the damage was not there at move-in. For a professional landlord who has not held a move-in inspection, the right to demand repairs can lapse entirely.

Document with:

• A written description of any faults and defects
• Dated photos
• Both parties' signatures

Move-out

For landlords with more than one home:

1. Hold a move-out inspection no later than 2 weeks after you become aware of the move-out, and summon the tenant
2. Prepare a move-out report and deliver it to the tenant
3. Claims for repairs not included in the move-out report as a rule cannot be demanded afterwards

If you do not comply with these rules, you can lose the right to deduct amounts from the deposit.

The standard form

From 1 January 2023, private residential leases must be entered into on the authorised standard rental contract, Standard form A, 10th edition. The earlier 9th edition refers to the old section numbers and should no longer be used. The official standard form can be downloaded free of charge, and digital versions make it easier to fill in all fields correctly.

Advantages of a digital rental contract:

• A completion guide that helps avoid blank fields
• Updated to the current Rent Act
• Digital signature by both parties
• An automatic copy for both parties

Conclusion

A correct rental contract protects both you and the tenant. Use the current Standard form A, 10th edition, stay within the law's limits for deposit, termination and maintenance, and hold a move-in inspection. Then you are in a far stronger position if a dispute later arises.

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The content of this article is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a lawyer or a landlord organisation for advice on your specific situation.