The deposit affects how much money you have available when you move in. Plan for it separately from the rent and do not treat it as a reserve for ordinary expenses after the move.

Read the terms in your own contract

Clarify the amount, the basis, the deadlines and the method of payment. If the procedure is unclear or raises doubts, consult a tenancy law professional before transferring money. Do not infer the rules from a demand by an unknown sender in a messaging app.

Keep a chain of confirmations

Check that the recipient is the party to the contract or has confirmed authority to act for them. Keep the agreements, bank details and proof of payment separately. If the account changes, double-check the information through a contact channel you already know.

What the general legal rule says

For residential tenancies, Section 551 of the German Civil Code (BGB) limits the security to three months' rent excluding separately stated operating costs. If the security is paid in cash, you may pay it in three equal monthly instalments: the first at the start of the tenancy and the others together with the rent payments that immediately follow. This describes the general rule, not an assessment of your contract. Questions about whether it applies, other forms of security and disputed demands are best discussed with a professional before you decide to pay.

A sample calculation and checking bank details

If the monthly basic rent relevant under Section 551 BGB is €900, the upper limit for such a security is €2,700. This is an arithmetic example, not a statement of the amount required in every contract. Check the amount and form of security actually agreed. Check the bank details separately: an amount that complies with the law does not prove that the recipient is genuine. Keep the contract, confirmation of the bank details and payment records so that you can later trace every payment and its purpose.

What to check

  • Keep the deposit separate from the first rent payment.
  • Check the terms before sending any money.
  • Match the recipient against the documents.
  • Keep the information for the final settlement.

Example situation

A message about an urgent change of bank details is best confirmed through a contact you already know rather than by replying to the same new message.

Next step

The deposit is a separate obligation with documented terms, not a general fee for reserving a viewing.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.