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Tools / Rent deposit calculator (Germany, § 551 BGB)

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Rent deposit calculator (§ 551 BGB)

Enter the net cold rent (without utilities) and the start of the tenancy.

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Maximum deposit
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§ 551 BGB: the deposit may be at most three monthly rents without operating costs. The tenant may pay it in three equal monthly instalments, the first at the start of the tenancy, the next two with the following rents. The landlord must keep it separate from his assets; the interest belongs to the tenant.

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🔒 Runs entirely in your browser – nothing you enter is uploaded or stored.

How to use it

  1. Enter the net cold rent.
  2. Choose the start of the tenancy.
  3. Read the maximum deposit and the instalment dates.
Your inputs live only in the link, not on our server.

Last checked: October 2026 · Based on: § 551 German Civil Code (BGB). Found a mistake? Use the form below – we fix confirmed errors and update the date.

Frequently asked questions

How high may the rent deposit be?

At most three net cold rents – utilities don't count.

Can I pay the deposit in instalments?

Yes, by law in three equal monthly instalments; the first is due when the tenancy starts.

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