How to Avoid Unexpected Fees

Managing a student budget in Sønderborg requires strict attention to rental contracts, as StudieBolig Syd applies immediate fees for administrative errors or property neglect. Understanding these regulations is the only way to protect your deposit and avoid monthly surcharges that can disrupt your financial stability.

Rent Payments and Banking

Late payments and incorrect transfer methods are the most common sources of avoidable fees.

• Pay by the 1st: Rent is due by the first working day of every month. Failure to pay on time results in a reminding fee (DKK 315) and can lead to the loss of your right of occupation.
• Use Betalingsservice (BS): To avoid manual errors, register for the automatic payment service. Once registered, you will no longer receive physical bills in your letterbox.
• Avoid Revolut: You cannot pay via Revolut. These payments arrive without the sender’s information, making it impossible for the office to credit your account, which leads to late fees.
• International Transfers: If paying from abroad, pay in Euro via SEPA to ensure the lowest fees. Be aware that bank charges for international transfers will be added to your next month’s rent.
• Check Your Letterbox: If you are not on BS, your bill arrives in your physical letterbox at the end of the month. You must empty your letterbox regularly to ensure you do not miss a payment deadline.

Utility Consumption (Heat, Electricity, and Water)

Your monthly rent includes an “on account” payment, which is an estimate of your usage.

• The Spring Settlement: Once a year (usually in spring), your actual consumption is calculated. If you used more than your “on account” payments covered, you will receive a bill for the difference.
• Do Not Tamper with Meters: All meters are sealed. If a seal is broken or a meter is covered, you will be held responsible for the costs.
• Ventilate Correctly: Open windows for 3-5 minutes several times a day, especially after showering or cooking. Do not hang clothes to dry inside the room. Failure to do this causes damp damage, and you will be charged for the repairs.
• Report Leaks Immediately: Notify the janitor if a tap drips or a toilet runs. Ignoring these issues will significantly increase your water bill, which you must pay in full.

Maintenance and Equipment Fees

StudieBolig Syd charges high rates for the replacement of equipment and janitor labor.

• Smoke Detectors: Never demount or obstruct your smoke detector. Tampering with or removing the device results in a DKK 1,000 fee plus repair costs.
• Key Management: A lost key costs DKK 400 and a lost chip costs DKK 125. If you lock yourself out outside of office hours, you must call a private licensed locksmith at your own expense.
• Janitor Labor: If the janitor has to clean or tidy up after you in communal areas or your room, you will be charged DKK 450 per hour.

Moving Out Without Losing Your Deposit

The move-out process is strictly regulated to ensure the room is ready for the next tenant.

• Notice Period: You must provide a minimum of 6 weeks’ notice to the 1st of the month or 8 weeks to the 15th via the online portal.
• The 14-Day Rule: You must vacate the room 14 days before your contract officially ends to allow for inspections and preparation.
• Professional Painting: Rooms must appear newly painted upon move-out. This must be done by a professional painting company; you cannot do it yourself.
• Cleaning: The room must be spotless for the inspection. If it is not cleaned to the janitor’s satisfaction, the cost of professional cleaning will be deducted from your deposit.
• Return All Keys: Hand in all keys and chips during the inspection. If they are returned late, or not at all, the locks will be changed at your expense.

To avoid these costs, automate your rent through Betalingsservice immediately after opening a Danish bank account and treat the property with care to ensure your deposit is returned in full. The most critical habit you can form is checking both your email and your physical letterbox weekly, as StudieBolig Syd uses these channels for all official warnings and billing updates.