Reclaiming a rental deposit — repayment plus interest after moving out
After you move out, the landlord has a reasonable period to settle accounts — after that, the deposit plus interest is due.
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Quick check: what should you do?
3 short questions — no sign-up required.
Deadline at a glance
No fixed deadline — usually several months, in individual cases up to 6 months
§ 551 BGB
There is no statutory deadline in days; case law grants the landlord a reasonable period for settlement and consideration, which is usually several months and in individual cases up to around six months.
It is an AI, not a person: nobody looks at your individual case, and we do not know who signs up or for what reason. That is why we give pointers, but no legal advice on the individual case. Guidelines and playbooks in the platform are only guardrails: the AI relies on the available sources and your information. AI can make mistakes — check important results, and if in doubt, ask a lawyer.
What we pay special attention to
Curated from real cases. The AI review flags exactly these points in your document.
Landlords often invoke an "ongoing review" without a concrete reason.
Tenants often forget to also claim the interest the deposit must earn.
A flat-rate retention "for damage" without proof is usually invalid.
What you can do here in 5 minutes
After the tenancy ends, the landlord must repay the deposit (Mietkaution) as soon as its security purpose no longer applies — case law usually allows several months for this, in individual cases up to around six months (longer only where there is a legitimate interest in security, e.g. a service charge statement still outstanding). A cash deposit may not exceed three months’ basic rent excluding service charges and must be invested at interest (§ 551 BGB) — you are entitled to the interest in addition.
Upload the tenancy agreement + moving-out date — our AI tools check the reasonable settlement period and prepare the reclaim letter including interest.
Results in three steps
Check the settlement period
Check the moving-out date + legitimate retentions (e.g. an outstanding service charge statement).
Reclaim with a deadline
Written demand for repayment including interest, with a reasonable payment deadline.
Next steps
If payment is not made, prepare a court action.
- Check the settlement period – Check the moving-out date + legitimate retentions (e.g. an outstanding service charge statement).
- Reclaim with a deadline – Written demand for repayment including interest, with a reasonable payment deadline.
- Next steps – If payment is not made, prepare a court action.
- No representation in court.
- No detailed review of the service charge statement (there is a separate use case, “Service charge statement”, for that).
- No compulsory enforcement.
Transparency
What the AI checks — and what only a lawyer can decide
An AI is only as good as the question. We show openly where your answer is reliable and where you should speak with a lawyer.
If the landlord does not pay even after a written deadline has been set.
More letters & checks
Tenancy law · Litigation companion: sue for your deposit yourself if necessary · Template letter: reclaim your deposit
- Fine noticeAccused of a regulatory offense? At 2 weeks, the objection period is considerably shorter than for most other official decisions.
- Check T&C clausesExclusion of liability, notice period, automatic contract renewal — not every clause in standard terms and conditions is valid.
- Health insurer refusesTherapy, medical aid or rehabilitation refused? Often the insurer has missed its own response deadline — in which case the benefit is already deemed approved.
- Care level objectionThe long-term care insurer almost always follows the assessment of the Medical Service — if you object, you should check it module by module.
