Rental Deposit: Pay in 3 Installments (Mietkaution)
You do not have to pay your full 3-month rental deposit before move-in. Federal law allows you to split it across 3 monthly payments.
Configure your citizenship, housing, and job status to get a prioritized timeline.
Landlords and agents often demand the entire 3-month deposit before handing over keys. Lease clauses requiring the full deposit upfront are legally invalid (§ 551 BGB). Landlords must also keep your money in an insolvency-protected escrow account separate from their personal funds.
STEP-BY-STEP ACTION PROTOCOL (3 STEPS)
- 1
Pay only the first installment (one-third of the deposit) on the first day of your lease.
- 2
Pay the remaining two installments alongside your second and third monthly rent payments.
- 3
Ask your landlord for written proof that the funds are in a dedicated escrow account (Mietkautionskonto).
OFFICIAL PORTALS & LEGAL REFERENCES
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord legally demand full rental deposit before handing over apartment keys?[FAQ]
No. Under § 551 Abs. 2 BGB, tenants have an unconditional federal right to pay the deposit in three equal monthly installments. Any lease clause requiring full upfront payment is legally invalid.
How must the landlord hold rental deposit funds under German law?[FAQ]
Under § 551 Abs. 3 BGB, landlords are legally required to deposit rental bond funds into a dedicated escrow account (Mietkautionskonto) separate from personal assets to protect against landlord insolvency.