Rental Deposit Calculator
Work out the rental deposit: up to three months' net base rent in three instalments, plus interest and final value on the deposit account (default 0.7% p.a.).
Maximum Deposit (3 months base rent)
€2,400.00
Installment Payment (§ 551 para. 2 BGB)
Interest Earnings (5 yr.)
€85.18
Final Value incl. Interest
€2,485.18
Interest / Month (avg.)
€1.42
Note: The landlord must invest the deposit separately in a deposit account (§ 551 para. 3 BGB).
The interest belongs to the tenant and increases the deposit amount.
Default 0.7 % p.a.: the usual interest rate for savings deposits with three months' notice, at which the landlord must invest the deposit (§ 551 para. 3 BGB; ECB interest rate statistics for Germany, August 2026: 0.73 %). If tenant and landlord agree on a different form of investment, enter its rate.
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How high can the rental deposit be?
By law, the rental deposit cannot exceed three months of net cold rent (Kaltmiete). Utilities and heating costs are not included. The landlord must invest the deposit with a bank, separately from their own assets, at the usual interest rate for savings deposits with three months' notice (Section 551(3) BGB) – 0.73 % for Germany in August 2026 according to ECB interest rate statistics. The interest belongs to the tenant.
When must the deposit be returned?
The landlord must return the deposit within a reasonable period after the tenancy ends, typically 3-6 months. They may retain a portion for outstanding claims or utility bill settlements.
Are my entered amounts stored anywhere?
No. All calculations happen exclusively in your browser. Your inputs are never sent to our server or stored. You can safely enter sensitive financial data.
Guide
What is the Rental Deposit Calculator?
The rental deposit calculator computes the maximum deposit (three months of net cold rent), the three instalments and the interest income if the deposit is held in a deposit account for the length of the tenancy.
How does the Rental Deposit Calculator work?
Enter the monthly cold rent, the expected length of the tenancy and the interest rate. The calculator determines the maximum deposit (3 months cold rent), the three monthly instalments and, with compound interest, the interest income, the final value and the average interest per month. The default is 0.7 % p.a. – the current usual rate for savings deposits with three months' notice (Section 551(3) BGB).
Key Data and Facts
Maximum deposit: 3 months of cold rent excluding advance payments for service charges (Section 551(1) BGB). Payment in 3 equal monthly instalments permitted, the first at the start of the tenancy (Section 551(2) BGB). The landlord must invest the deposit separately from their own assets at the usual rate for savings deposits with three months' notice – 0.73 % for Germany in August 2026 according to ECB interest rate statistics; the interest belongs to the tenant (Section 551(3) BGB).
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate the rental deposit step by step: 1. Enter the monthly base rent: the net base rent without additional costs as stated in the rental contract. 2. Read the maximum deposit: 3 x monthly base rent (Section 551 BGB). A higher security is not permitted. 3. Check the payment method: the deposit may be paid in 3 equal monthly instalments; the first instalment is due at the start of the tenancy. 4. Understand the investment: the landlord invests a cash deposit with a bank, separately from their own assets, in principle at the usual rate for savings deposits with three months' notice; tenant and landlord may agree on a different form of investment. Some landlords accept a bank guarantee or a rental deposit guarantee (deposit insurance) instead of cash – this calculator does not compute their costs. 5. Estimate the interest income: enter the tenancy length and interest rate; the default is 0.7 % p.a. (ECB interest rate statistics for Germany, August 2026: 0.73 %). The interest belongs to the tenant and increases the deposit. 6. Repayment: after the end of the tenancy the landlord has a reasonable review period (usually 3-6 months). Example: Base rent 750 EUR/month. Maximum deposit: 3 x 750 = 2,250 EUR. Instalment payment: 3 x 750 EUR (months 1-3). At 1.0 % interest over a 5-year tenancy: 2,250 x 1.01^5 = 2,364.77 EUR, interest income about 115 EUR (belongs to the tenant). At the usual rate of 0.7 % it would be about 80 EUR.
Calculation Example
Base rent EUR 750. Max. deposit: EUR 2,250. At 1.0% interest over 5 years: 2,250 x 1.01^5 = EUR 2,364.77, interest income about EUR 115; at the usual rate of 0.7% about EUR 80. Calculator defaults (EUR 800 cold rent, 5 years, 0.7%): deposit EUR 2,400, interest income EUR 85.18.
Sources
Official sources
Calculations are based on applicable German laws and official data:
- Deutsche Bundesbank
- Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin)
- Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis)
Full methodology at Methodology.
Reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Last updated:
Finance
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