Housing Scams in Denmark — How to Spot & Avoid Them

Common Housing Scams in Denmark

Updated By exploringdenmark

Denmark’s rental market is tight, especially in Copenhagen. That pressure creates opportunities for scammers who target newcomers — people who are desperate, unfamiliar with Danish rental law, and willing to pay upfront to secure a place. This guide walks through the most common scams, how to spot them, and how to protect yourself.

Fake listings Deposit fraud Sublet traps Key money Know the signs

Why this matters

Housing scams in Denmark typically target internationals who are searching from abroad, don’t speak Danish, and are under time pressure to find somewhere before their move date. The most common scenarios involve fake listings on Facebook or international platforms, requests for deposits before seeing the apartment, and illegal sublets where the person renting to you doesn’t have the right to do so.

Understanding the patterns lets you filter out 90% of scams before you waste time or money.

1. Fake listings

How it works: A scammer posts an attractive apartment at a below-market price on Facebook groups, international housing sites, or even Boligportalen. Photos are stolen from real listings or Airbnb. The “landlord” claims to be abroad (often “working in the UK/Norway”) and asks you to pay a deposit via bank transfer or Western Union to reserve the apartment. Once you pay, they disappear.
Price too good Landlord abroad Pay before viewing Urgency pressure Broken English emails
Protect yourself: Never pay anything before physically seeing the apartment and meeting the landlord or their representative in person. Reverse image search the photos. If the price is significantly below market rate, it’s almost certainly fake.

2. Deposit fraud

How it works: A real (or seemingly real) landlord demands an excessive deposit — sometimes 6+ months of rent upfront. Under Danish law (Lejeloven), the deposit (depositum) is capped at 3 months’ rent, and prepaid rent (forudbetalt leje) at 3 months. Anything above 6 months total is illegal. Some landlords also deduct unreasonable amounts from the deposit at move-out.
Deposit > 3 months Total upfront > 6 months Cash only No receipt
Protect yourself: Know the legal limits: max 3 months deposit + max 3 months prepaid rent. Always pay by bank transfer (never cash) and get a signed receipt. Take photos of the apartment’s condition at move-in.
How deposits work in Denmark →
Legal limits, when you get it back, and what landlords can deduct.

3. Illegal sublet traps

How it works: Someone rents you a room or apartment that they don’t have the right to sublet. The actual landlord finds out, and you’re evicted — often losing your deposit. This is common in shared apartments (roommate situations) where the main tenant sublets without permission, and in short-term arrangements where someone lists their apartment while travelling.
No formal contract Won’t show you the main lease “Don’t tell the landlord” Very short notice period
Protect yourself: Ask to see the main lease. Check if it allows subletting. In Denmark, the landlord must give written consent for sublets. If the person can’t show this, walk away. Always insist on a written sublet contract (fremlejekontrakt).

4. Overpriced rooms and “service fees”

How it works: Some agencies and individuals charge inflated rents to internationals who don’t know the market, or add hidden “service fees,” “registration fees,” or “administration charges” of 5,000–15,000 DKK on top of the legal deposit. These fees are not standard in Denmark and may be illegal depending on how they’re structured.
Large non-refundable fee “Administration charge” Price well above Boligportalen average
Protect yourself: Check comparable rents on Boligportalen or BoligZonen. Legitimate landlords don’t charge finder’s fees to tenants. If an agency charges you a fee just to view apartments, that’s a warning sign.

5. Key money (nøglepenge)

How it works: The outgoing tenant asks you to pay for furniture, fittings, or “taking over the lease” — sometimes called nøglepenge or key money. While buying furniture from an outgoing tenant is legitimate, inflated prices (50,000+ DKK for basic IKEA furniture) are a way of extracting unofficial cash. In some cases, it’s the only way to get the apartment, creating a grey market.
Furniture priced 3–5x value “Required” to take over furnishings Cash only, no receipt
Protect yourself: You’re not legally required to buy furniture to rent an apartment. If the price seems absurd, negotiate hard or walk away. Get an itemised list and pay by transfer with a receipt.

Universal red flags

Across all scam types, these are the warning signs that should make you stop and reconsider:

  • Payment before viewing. No legitimate landlord in Denmark requires payment before you’ve seen the place in person.
  • Communication only by email or WhatsApp. Especially if they refuse phone calls or video calls.
  • No written contract. Danish rental law requires a written lease. No contract = no protection.
  • Pressure to decide immediately. “Someone else is interested” is the oldest trick. Real landlords give you time.
  • Payment to a foreign bank account. Danish landlords have Danish bank accounts.
  • Listing only on Facebook groups. While some legitimate listings are on Facebook, the platform has no verification. Prefer Boligportalen, BoligZonen, or your employer’s relocation service.
  • Can’t register your CPR at the address. If the landlord says you can’t register, it’s likely an illegal arrangement.

Safer platforms and approaches

  • Boligportalen.dk — Denmark’s largest rental platform. Listings are more likely to be legitimate. Requires a small subscription to contact landlords.
  • BoligZonen.dk — Similar to Boligportalen. Free to browse.
  • Your employer’s relocation service — Many Danish companies offer relocation assistance. Use it.
  • Housing foundations — if you’re a student, check your university’s housing office. Many have agreements with student housing providers.
  • Andelsbolig waiting lists — Cooperative housing. Long wait but safe and affordable. See the andelsbolig guide.

Best practice: Use a temporary furnished apartment or Airbnb for your first 1–2 months. This gives you time to search for permanent housing from within Denmark, visit apartments in person, and avoid the pressure of making decisions from abroad.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

  • File a police report. Go to your local police station or file online at politi.dk. Even if recovery is unlikely, the report helps authorities track patterns.
  • Contact your bank. If you paid by bank transfer, your bank may be able to initiate a recall — but only if you act fast (ideally within 24 hours).
  • Report the listing. Report fake listings to the platform where you found them (Facebook, Boligportalen, etc.).
  • Contact Lejerforening. If you’re in a dispute with a real landlord over illegal deposit demands or contract terms, Denmark’s tenant associations (Lejernes Landsorganisation or Lejerforening) can advise you.
  • Seek legal advice. For larger sums, consult an English-speaking lawyer who specialises in Danish rental law.

Remember: The Danish rental market is tough, but the overwhelming majority of landlords are legitimate. Most scams are easy to spot once you know the patterns. Take your time, verify everything, and never pay before seeing.