German rental deposit — at most three months' net rent
The deposit may not exceed three months' rent — counted without any flat-rate or advance service charges. A cash deposit may be paid by the tenant in three equal monthly instalments.
2026 rules — verified on September 23, 2026Free, no account
Your result
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Sources and assumptions
- gesetze-im-internet.de — BGB § 551 Abs. 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 23, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « so darf diese vorbehaltlich des Absatzes 3 Satz 4 höchstens das Dreifache der auf einen Monat entfallenden Miete ohne die als Pauschale oder als Vorauszahlung ausgewiesenen Betriebskosten betragen. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — BGB § 551 Abs. 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 23, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Ist als Sicherheit eine Geldsumme bereitzustellen, so ist der Mieter zu drei gleichen monatlichen Teilzahlungen berechtigt. »
Calculation assumptions
- Enter the monthly rent excluding service charges (net cold rent); using the gross rent would overstate the ceiling.
- A cash deposit is assumed: the right to pay in instalments under BGB s. 551(2) applies only to cash.
- Interest earned on the deposit belongs to the tenant and increases the security, even beyond the ceiling; it is not calculated here. Instalments are rounded to the cent.
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This result is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax advice. Check your situation with the tax authorities or a professional.