Do I have to pay the deposit all at once?

No. You may pay a cash deposit in three equal monthly instalments; the first is due at the start of the tenancy, the others with the rent payments immediately following (§ 551 (2) BGB). This makes planning easier when moving if the old deposit has not yet come back.

How long may the landlord keep the deposit?

There is no fixed statutory deadline. The landlord may take a reasonable time to check whether any claims still exist; three to six months is often mentioned. If a service charge statement is still outstanding, they may withhold a reasonable part until it has been prepared, but not the entire deposit indefinitely.

What happens to the interest on the rental deposit?

The landlord must hold the rental deposit separately from their own assets at a bank, at the usual interest rate for savings deposits with three months' notice; a different form of investment can be agreed. The returns belong to you and increase the deposit. Only for student and youth residences is there no obligation to pay interest (§ 551 (3) BGB).

How can I finance my deposit if money is tight?

Besides paying in instalments, deposit guarantees from banks or specialist providers are an alternative to a cash deposit. A loan can also help in the short term but should be carefully calculated. Saving on a private move , for example with a shared load, often gives you more financial leeway for the deposit.

What is a handover report and why is it important?

A handover report records the condition of the flat in detail on moving in and out, with photos and descriptions. It serves as evidence in disputes about damage or wear and tear. We strongly recommend drawing up this report together with the landlord to secure full repayment of the deposit .

May the landlord offset the deposit against unpaid rent?

Yes, the landlord may offset the rental deposit against justified claims such as rent arrears or service charge back payments. However, this offsetting must be comprehensible and justified in writing. Tenants can challenge unjustified deductions and claim full repayment through the courts.

How does a professional move affect getting the deposit back?

A carefully carried out move prevents scratches on door frames, floors and the stairwell that could otherwise be deducted from the deposit as damage. The moving company is liable under the German Commercial Code for damage caused during the move. This increases your chances of getting the full rental deposit back without deductions.

Does the deposit cap also apply to commercial leases?

No, the statutory upper limit of three months' net rent only applies to residential tenancy agreements . With commercial leases, landlord and tenant can freely agree the amount of the deposit, and significantly higher sums are often demanded. Business owners should therefore check the contract details particularly carefully.

What can I do if the landlord does not repay the deposit?

Set a reasonable deadline in writing for repayment of the deposit , for example two to four weeks. If the landlord does not respond, a court order for payment or a claim at the local court (Amtsgericht) can follow. Tenants' associations and consumer advice centres offer support and legal advice.

Can I have the deposit credited against the new rent?

As a rule not directly, as the old rental deposit is only repaid after the flat has been properly handed over. If two tenancies overlap in time, financial bottlenecks often arise. So plan a financial buffer early for the transition period between the old and new tenancy.

TENANCY LAW WHEN MOVING

Rental deposit: amount & repayment

Q: How high may the rental deposit be by law?

The rental deposit may be at most three times the monthly rent, excluding operating costs shown as a flat rate or advance payment (§ 551 (1) BGB). This upper limit applies to residential tenancy agreements; agreements to the tenant's disadvantage are invalid. As a rule, the landlord may not demand additional securities that together exceed this limit.

Q: Can the landlord keep the deposit for cosmetic repairs?

Only if valid clauses on cosmetic repairs were agreed in the tenancy agreement and redecoration is actually needed. Normal wear and tear may not be deducted from the deposit. In the case of invalid clauses or excessive demands, tenants should seek legal advice to secure their repayment.

At most three months' net rent, three instalments, interest for you: what § 551 BGB says about the rental deposit when you move.

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FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

Rental deposit

Rental deposit: what tenants should know when moving

Amount, instalments, repayment

Unsere Firma is based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and takes care of the transport – you settle the deposit and handover with your landlord.

The rental deposit secures the landlord against outstanding claims such as rent arrears or damage to the flat. By law it is limited to three times the monthly rent, excluding operating costs shown as a flat rate or advance payment – in other words, to three months' net rent (§ 551 (1) BGB). Tenants may pay a cash deposit in three equal monthly instalments, the first at the start of the tenancy. If you are planning a move to a new flat, factor in the deposit early.

The landlord must hold the deposit separately from their own assets, at a bank at the usual interest rate for savings deposits with three months' notice; the interest belongs to you. There is no fixed statutory deadline for repayment – the landlord may take a reasonable time to check whether any claims are still outstanding, for example from the service charge statement. A careful handover report on a private move shortens disputes about this.

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FIXED PRICE AFTER A SURVEY

PERSONAL CONSULTATION

Plan the move – keep an eye on the deposit

Fixed price after a survey, liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB)

For the transport we give you a fixed price after a survey – so alongside the deposit and first rent you know what the move itself will cost. We take care of dismantling, transport and reassembly so you have time for the flat handover. Call us on 01625978461 and arrange a survey appointment.

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

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DOUBLE DEPOSIT

Old deposit, new deposit

How to finance the transition period

When moving, many people pay twice: the new rental deposit is due before the old one comes back. So plan early: you may pay the new deposit in three monthly instalments, while you only get the old one back after handover and settlement. We are based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and give you a fixed price after a survey for the transport; we are liable for damage to your belongings under § 451e HGB. Protective material when carrying helps avoid scratches on door frames or the stairwell – whether on a private move round the corner or a long-distance move.

Three instalments

You may pay a cash deposit in three equal monthly instalments; the first is due at the start of the tenancy.

Guarantee

Instead of cash, many landlords accept a deposit guarantee (Kautionsbürgschaft) from a bank or provider – it involves ongoing fees.

Handover report

Photos and a signed report when you move out make it hard for the landlord to make unjustified deductions from the deposit.

Protection when carrying

Blankets, corner and door protection prevent scratches on door frames and the stairwell – damage that could otherwise be deducted from the deposit.

§ 551 BGB

Six rules on the rental deposit

For the rental deposit, § 551 BGB covers almost everything: amount, instalments, investment, interest. Anything that deviates from this to the tenant's disadvantage is invalid. The key rules at a glance – from the start of the tenancy to repayment after moving out.

At most three months' net rent

The deposit may not exceed three times the monthly rent excluding a flat-rate or advance payment for operating costs (§ 551 (1) BGB).

Payment in instalments

You pay a cash deposit in three equal instalments: the first at the start of the tenancy, the others with the next rent payments.

Held separately

The landlord holds the deposit separately from their assets at a bank, at the interest rate for savings deposits with three months' notice.

Interest for tenants

The returns belong to the tenant and increase the deposit. Exception: student and youth residences do not have to pay interest.

Repayment after checking

The law sets no fixed deadline; the landlord may take a reasonable time to check whether any claims are still outstanding.

No disadvantages for tenants

Agreements that deviate from these rules to the tenant's disadvantage are invalid (§ 551 (4) BGB) – even if they are in the tenancy agreement.

SAVE MONEY

Little to move? Part load!

Leeway for the new deposit

With a shared load you only pay for the cargo space your furniture and boxes need. This is worthwhile for small households and gives you financial leeway during the period when the new deposit is due and the old one has not yet come back. In return we deliver within a time window rather than on a fixed date.

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MONEY WHEN MOVING

Notice,
handover, deposit

What belongs together

Besides the rental deposit, there are other issues that cost or save money when moving: the notice period on the old flat, cosmetic repairs and the flat handover. Clarifying them early avoids double rent and disputes about deductions. How to give notice properly is explained in the guide Ending your tenancy; we take care of the transport with our private move. You can find destinations outside Berlin under locations.

Notice and double rent

Tenants end open-ended residential tenancies with three months' notice. If the old and new flat overlap, two rents and two deposits run in parallel – plan a buffer for this or use the instalment option for the new deposit.

Handover without deductions

Normal wear and tear may not be deducted from the deposit, but real damage may. With protective material during furniture transport, photos and a signed handover report, you document the condition of the flat on moving-out day.

Repayment and service charges

If a service charge statement is still outstanding, the landlord may withhold a reasonable part of the deposit until it is settled. Claim the rest in writing with a deadline; tenants' associations and consumer advice centres help if nothing happens despite the deadline.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the rental deposit

Amount, instalments, interest, repayment and deductions – answered briefly.

The rental deposit may be at most three times the monthly rent, excluding operating costs shown as a flat rate or advance payment (§ 551 (1) BGB). This upper limit applies to residential tenancy agreements; agreements to the tenant's disadvantage are invalid. As a rule, the landlord may not demand additional securities that together exceed this limit.

What is the maximum rental deposit?

The statutory upper limit for the rental deposit is three times the monthly rent excluding operating costs shown as a flat rate or advance payment (§ 551 (1) BGB) – in short: three months' net rent. This rule protects tenants from excessive demands; an agreement that deviates to their disadvantage is invalid. Many landlords ask for the full permitted amount.

You may pay a cash deposit in three equal monthly instalments; the first is due at the start of the tenancy, the others with the following rent payments. So if you move to another city, you often pay the first instalment of the new deposit before the old one is back. Plan a buffer for this – including for the move to your new home town.

Deposit repayment: deadlines and entitlements

After you move out, the landlord may take a reasonable period to check whether any claims are still outstanding; there is no fixed statutory deadline. Three to six months is often mentioned, depending on whether a service charge statement is still pending. For this they may withhold a reasonable part, but must pay out the rest.

Photos, a signed report and protective material when carrying reduce the risk of deductions. The landlord's claims for compensation for deterioration of the flat become time-barred six months after it is returned (§ 548 BGB). Whether it is a local move or one of our long-distance moves – hand over the flat empty, clean and documented.

What the move itself costs

With us there are no hidden costs. The price scale is based on the number of rooms: 1-room flats from €354, 2-room flats from €605, 3-room flats from €894 and 4-room flats from €1,269. For houses or villas we always prepare an individual quote, as the scope varies greatly. If you are moving a greater distance, budget from €4.20/km for the long-distance move. The quickest way to find out your exact price is a free survey.

What the moving price depends on

The volume of your belongings and the distance (from €4.20/km) form the basis of the calculation. On top come the floor, lift and any parking restriction zone. For furniture assembly and shared load we charge separate terms.

Our moving services at a glance

From a small box to a complete office move – you can book these services for everything connected with your move.

Private move: your home safely and stress-free to its new location – private move
Office move: offices and businesses move without interrupting day-to-day operations – office move
Furniture transport: we transport single pieces or entire home furnishings professionally – furniture transport
Shared load: low-cost transport through shared cargo space – shared load
Move with assembly: dismantle, transport and reassemble furniture – move with assembly
House clearance: dispose of old furniture and rubbish properly – house clearance

Moves from Berlin, including to other cities

We are based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and also travel to other cities. Destinations with their own pages can be found in the locations overview, and for longer routes see long-distance moves. The rules on deposits are the same nationwide.

Tenancy Law & Housing

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 2, 2026

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Tenancy Law & Housing Rental Deposit Moving Tips