Security deposit

The security deposit (also known as a rental deposit) is a payment made by tenants to the landlord. This payment serves as security for the landlord in case the tenants fail to fulfill their contractual obligations, such as damages or unpaid rent. The deposit is agreed upon by both parties and must be received by the landlord no later than the day before move-in.

Refund of the Deposit:
In Germany, landlords have a reasonable period after move-out to check for damages or unpaid rent, typically between two to six months. After this period, the deposit must be refunded to the tenant. If there are outstanding utility costs, part of the deposit may be withheld until the final accounting (no later than 12 months after move-out).

You can find further advice on managing deposits in Germany in our guide for tenants, and our guide for landlords.

Wunderflats is not a contractual party to the rental agreements. Therefore, the deposit can neither be transferred to Wunderflats nor refunded by Wunderflats to the tenants.

Please note: This article does not constitute legal advice – the information on this page has been prepared solely for your information. As we are not a law firm and act as a platform, we can and may share our estimations, but we cannot give you legal advice for your individual further proceedings.