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Good to know - Housing in Odense

Accommodation search in Denmark might get tricky because of the language barrier. We have gathered a list of tips and prepared a guide to Danish accommodation terms, when searching for accommodation in Denmark.

Housing in Odense

Good to know

  • The rental market in Odense is very dynamic, so one needs to react to ads of apartments available quite fast. In addition, apartments are posted for rent 2-3 months in advance to the moving in date. Therefore, it is advised to start looking for a rental around 2-3 months before your arrival to Odense.
  • Most Danish rental properties are unfurnished. However, even unfurnished rentals in Denmark have functional kitchens with a fridge (often freezer as well), hob and oven.
  • Rental ads in Denmark state a number of rooms (not bedrooms). For instance, a 2 room apartment consists of kitchen, bathroom and 2 rooms which may be used as bedroom and/or living room.
  • 1st floor is not always 1st floor. In Denmark, the first floor of a building is called stuen or stueetage (st.), translated as “ground floor”. After the ground floor, the following floors are called 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.
  • If you see “tv” next to the floor number, it means the apartment is located "til venstre" (on the left) of the landing, and if it is “th”, it means it is "til hoejre" (to the right) of the entrance.  Not very common, but there is also "mf", which mean "midtfor"-  in the center of the floor.
  • Many private rental companies require future tenants to be present in a viewing (open house). Therefore, it is good if you have a person (i.e. a future colleague), who could help you with viewings before arrival. 

 

Contracts

The rental contract defines rights and obligations of the tenant and the landlord, including the amount of rent you must pay and the conditions for moving-in and moving-out.

It is a common practice that landlords in Denmark use the authorized version of a standard rental contract in Danish. The English version of the rental contract is not authorized but can be used as a translation of the authorized Danish contract.

 

 

Deposit and prepaid rent

 

When signing a contract the tenant has to pay a deposit and, in some cases, prepaid rent (forudbetalt leje). The deposit may, according to Danish law, be 3 times the rent not including utilities. Prepaid rent should not exceed three times the rent not including utilities. In total most of the landlords may require 3 times rent as deposit, 3 times rent as prepaid rent and first month's rent from the new tenant upon moving in. It is a general practice in Denmark, regulated by law.

 

The landlord can use the deposit to cover the cost of damages and repair of the apartment upon termination of the lease. The pre-paid rent will cover your last month(s) of your rent after you decide to terminate the lease.

 

 

Monthly expenses

 

When renting an apartment you will be paying a monthly rent and fixed monthly charge for water and heating (aconto). Once per year the difference between what has been paid and what has been used will be calculated and settled between landlord and tenant. Most often utilities such as electricity, internet, tv-antenne and package are to be paid to providers directly based on the usage and/or plan you have.

 

The costs for the rent of an apartment highly depends on several criteria, such as number of rooms, state of the property (newly build/recently renovated), location. A good way to get an overview of prices is by checking accommodation portals and websites of private rental companies.

 

 

Short-term and/or shared accommodation

For a short-term accommodation options check AirBnB or see Visit Odense's website for a list of hotels and hostels in Odense. 

If you are looking for a room in a shared apartment, have a look at Facebook groups, such as Internationals in Odense and International Students in Odense.

 

You may find availabilities for short term accommodation with Odense City B&B. It's possible to stay there for a few months at a time, but it is only meant to be a temporary accommodation option.

 

Please note that in order to register with the Danish authorities and receive CPR number (Danish registration number), you need to have an address where you will be staying for a period longer than 3 months.

 

Dictionary – rent related words:

 

GENERAL
Lejlighed
Apartment 
Husleje/Leje Rent
Pr. mdr. Per Month
Betaling Payment 
Depositum Deposit 
Forudbetalt leje Pre-paid rent  
Forbrug Utilities
Konto Account
Overtagelse Available to move in from
Indflytning(-sdato) Occupation (date)
Opsigelse(-sfrist) (Terms of) notice
Fraflytning Vacation
Delevenlig Suitable for sharing
Særlige vilkår Special conditions 
Husdyr (ikke) tilladt Pet(s) (not) allowed
Lejemål Tenancy
Udlejer Landlord/landlady
Lejer Tenant
Bofællesskab Shared rental
Fremlejes Sublet
Kvm/kvadratmeter Sqm/Square meters


 UTILITIES
A Conto (A/C) Charges for utilities 
Varme Heating
Skatter og afgifter Taxes
Vand Water
El Electricity

 

 PARTS OF A HOUSE
Værelse Room
Badeværelse (bad) Bathroom
Køkken Kitchen
Soveværelse  Bedroom
Stue  Living room
Altan Balcony
Entre Entrance
Trapper Stairs 
Vaskerum/vaskeri Utility room/laundry room
Kælder Cellar
Parkeringsplads Parking space


 EQUIPMENT
Komfur/ovn Stove/oven 
Køleskab Refrigerator
Emhætte Cooker hood
Opvaskemaskine Dish washer
Vaskemaskine Washing machine
Tørretumbler Tumble dryer