Rental deposit in Mora: rules and how to get your money back
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Rental deposit in Mora: rules and how to get your money back
Have you been asked to pay a rental deposit in Mora, or are you wondering what happens to the deposit when the lease ends? A rental deposit is a security that the landlord can require you to pay when you sign the lease. The deposit is an agreement between you and the landlord, and how the money is kept should be set out in the agreement.
In this article, we go through what applies to rental deposits in Mora, how much the landlord can charge, where the money is usually kept, and how you go about getting it back.
What is a rental deposit?
A rental deposit, or security, is an amount that the tenant pays to the landlord when entering into the lease. It is a form of security for the landlord if the tenant, for example, does not pay the rent or causes damage to the apartment.
It is important to distinguish the deposit from advance rent or a regular down payment. A deposit is not an extra cost that you lose – it should be paid back to you when the lease ends, provided you have fulfilled your obligations as a tenant.
What does the Swedish Land Code say about rental deposits?
The rules on rental deposits are found in the Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken), chapter 12, which deals with leases. According to section 21, the landlord has the right to require the tenant to provide a deposit as security for the fulfillment of the lease. The deposit may at most correspond to three months' rent.
It is an agreement between landlord and tenant. There is no general legal requirement that the deposit be paid into or kept by the county administrative board. How the money is kept should be set out in the lease agreement between the parties.
How much can the deposit be in Mora?
The maximum allowed deposit is three months' rent. If your rent is, for example, 6,000 kronor per month, the deposit can be at most 18,000 kronor. The landlord cannot require more than that, whether you rent in central Mora or in a suburb.
There is no Mora-specific exception – the same rules apply throughout Sweden, including Mora municipality. If the landlord demands a higher deposit, you can refuse and refer to the Land Code.
Where is the deposit kept?
Because the deposit is an agreement between you and the landlord, there is no fixed place where the money must be kept. The lease agreement should state where the deposit is kept and in which account.
Usually the landlord keeps the deposit, either on their own account or on a separate blocked account. It is important that you receive a receipt or confirmation that the money has been received, and that you know where it is kept.
If there is a dispute about the deposit, the matter can be tried by the rent tribunal or the district court. The Rent Tribunal in Dalarna handles lease matters for Mora municipality.
How do you get the deposit back?
When the lease ends and you move out, the deposit shall be paid back to you. According to section 22 of the Land Code, you as a tenant have the right to get the amount back if the landlord does not, within three months from the date the amount falls due for payment, show that he or she:
- has agreed with you to release the amount, or
- has filed a lawsuit regarding the deposit against you.
If the landlord has filed a lawsuit within the specified time, the amount may not be released until the dispute is finally decided.
In practice, this means that you as a tenant in Mora should get your deposit back within a reasonable time after the move-out inspection, provided there are no unpaid rents or damages that the landlord claims compensation for.
If the landlord claims the money
If the landlord believes that you have damaged the apartment or have unpaid rent, he or she may file a lawsuit regarding the deposit. The matter is then decided by the rent tribunal or the district court. The Rent Tribunal in Dalarna handles lease matters for Mora municipality.
You always have the right to object to the landlord's claim and submit your own version of events. Make sure you have documentation, such as photos of the apartment's condition at move-in and move-out, and receipts for rent paid.
Frequently asked questions about rental deposits
Do I have to pay a deposit?
No, a deposit is not mandatory. It is up to the landlord to demand it, and it must be stated in the lease. If nothing about a deposit is stated in the agreement, you do not have to pay one.
Can the deposit be counted as the first month's rent?
No. A deposit is a security and shall be paid back. Advance rent, on the other hand, is rent paid in advance that counts as your regular rent.
What happens if the landlord sells the apartment?
The deposit follows the property. The new owner takes over responsibility for keeping and repaying the deposit.
Can I get the deposit in advance?
No, the deposit is paid back only when the lease ends and you have moved out.
Checklist: how to protect your deposit
- Make sure the deposit is written in the lease and that the amount is clearly stated.
- Require a receipt or confirmation that the money has been received by the landlord.
- Make sure the agreement states where the deposit is kept.
- Document the condition of the apartment at move-in and move-out with photos.
- Make sure all rent is paid before you move out.
- Save all correspondence with the landlord about the deposit.
Summary
A rental deposit in Mora may be at most three months' rent and is an agreement between you and the landlord. There is no general legal requirement that the money be kept by the county administrative board – how it is kept should be set out in the lease agreement. When the lease ends, you as a tenant have the right to get the money back, unless the landlord shows that there are grounds to keep it. Knowing your rights makes it easier to demand the deposit back when you move.