Housing

Lolland has a great selection of rental properties to suit different preferences and budgets. You can find apartments and houses. Apartments are really popular, especially in the cities, while houses give you more space and privacy.

Rental prices on Lolland are generally lower than in larger cities in Denmark, making it an affordable place to live. The price you'll pay for rent will depend on things like where you live, how big the property is, and what condition it's in. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay around DKK 4,000 to DKK 7,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, with larger properties costing more. Also, don't forget that you might have to pay for utilities (electricity, water, heating), internet, and possibly parking, in addition to the rent.

There's been a lot of interest in Lolland recently, with lots of new people moving here. This has led to a surge in demand for rental properties. It can be trickier to find something to rent in the centre of Maribo and the surrounding area. On the other hand, there are plenty of rental options in other areas of Lolland.

If you're looking for rental properties on Lolland, you can check out various online platforms and real estate websites. If you use the Danish term "lejebolig" in your online search, you'll find a range of platforms offering tailored rental property listings. You can easily refine your search by location, property type, size, and price to quickly identify ideal housing options. You can also check local newspapers, e.g., Folketidende or Lolland-Posten for adverts, and community notice boards for rental properties.

Once you've found a property you like, get in touch with the landlord or agent to ask about availability, viewings and the application process. Make sure you have the right documents to hand, like ID, proof of income and references. It's important to communicate clearly and quickly to get your chosen rental.

Before you sign on the dotted line, it's a good idea to take a close look at the tenancy agreement. It should spell out the length of the lease, how and when you'll pay the rent, and what you and your landlord are responsible for. Get to know your rights as a tenant in Denmark, so you can make sure you're getting a fair deal.

If you're working on the Femern Belt project, you might also want to check out the Femern Belt Developments platform. It's a great overview of quality housing and modern business facilities, and it's a key hub for local property owners on South Zealand/Lolland-Falster and their potential new tenants.

Non-profit homes are owned by a Danish non-profit housing organization (Danish: almen boligforening). It is a popular and common way for people to find rental housing. For internationals considering signing up, here's a detailed explanation.

What is non-profit housing?

The rent of non-profit housing is cost-related (Danish: balanceleje), so no one profits from the rent. The rent is reasonable. It is the non-profit organizations that owns and manages the non-profit homes. The organizations operate under strict regulations to ensure fair and affordable housing for all residents.

The non-profit homes are constructed with subsidize, and the municipality has the right to allocate every fourth vacant home for social housing purposes for citizen with urgent need og rehousing.

Non-profit housing has tenant democracy which means that the tenants decide on their housing conditions like renovation, pets, cleaning, the budget and the rents by voting.

You can also watch this 1 minute YouTube-video with information about non-profit housing.

Key features of non-profit housing

Membership: To rent a home from a non-profit housing organization, you need to become a member. This involves paying a small annual fee and signing up on their waiting list. As a member you can join as either an active or a passive member. It’s only the active members who will provide accommodation depending on your number in the waiting list queue.

Waiting list: homes are mainly allocated based on a waiting list. The length of time you will need to wait can vary greatly depending on the location and type of home. Terraced houses are more popular than apartments, and urban site is more coveted then rural sites. In popular areas, the wait can be several years, while in less popular areas, it might be much shorter.

Types of housing: non-profit housing organizations offer various types of housing, from small apartments to larger family homes, catering to different needs and budgets.

Rent: The rent is cost-related and includes all costs for operation and maintenance, but the tenant will typically pay utility costs separately.

Deposit: When you have accepted your housing offer, you must pay a deposit equivalent to 3 months' rent as well as the rent for the first month.

Advantages of joining a non-profit organization

Community: Living in a non-profit area often comes with a sense of community.

Stability: Tenancy agreements are typically long-term, providing more stability than some private rentals.

Quality housing: It is required that 30-year operation and maintenance plans are prepared. The municipality is supervisory authority and supervise the housing and the non-profit housing organizations.

Flexible rental rules

In Denmark non-profit housing is usually rented out based on a waiting list. When an tenancy becomes available, it is offered to the person who has been on the list the longest. However, there are specific criteria that can allow someone to move up the waiting list faster. This is called "flexible renting," and it's designed to create a more diverse community within each housing area.

The municipality and the non-profit housing organizations have agreed that every fourth available apartment will be rented out using these flexible rules.

The agreed criteria for moving up the waiting list are:

1. Employment: People who have a steady job or are connected to the labor market (comparable with point 2).
2. Education: People who are currently studying (comparable with point 1).
3. Local residency: People who have had a home and official address in Lolland Municipality for at least two years.

This agreement for 25% flexible renting applies to all housing areas not designated as prevention areas. The agreement is in effect until July 2027.

Steps to join a non-profit organization

Here is a list of all the housing associations on Lolland, in Danish (lolland.dk).

This English website is also a place to find non-profit housing across Denmark (danmarkbolig.dk).

Sign up: You need to sign up for every housing association. You do this directly on their website. You should contact the public housing organization directly. The price for signing up is different from housing organization to housing organization, and you have to pay the housing organization directly. If you want to change your information later, including contact information, or in relation to the housing you are signed up for, contact the non-profit housing organization.

Wait: After signing up, you’ll be placed on a waiting list. The wait time can vary, so it’s good to sign up with multiple associations.

Respond: When you reach the top of the list and a tenancy becomes available, you’ll be contacted. You’ll need to respond quickly and provide any required documentation. You can say yes or no, depending on your interest in the offer. Remember to respond, if you don’t - you will be marked as inactive and put off the waiting list.

Move in: Once you accept an offer, you’ll receive a tenancy agreement and information about how to pay the deposit and first month rent.

'Boligstøtte' means housing benefit and is designed to help residents with their rental costs. Here's a detailed explanation to help internationals understand how it works.

What is 'Boligstøtte'?

'Boligstøtte' is a government-provided financial support that helps cover a portion of your rent. It is available to individuals and families who meet certain criteria, making housing more affordable.

Who is Eligible?

1. Tenants in rented housing: You must be living in rented accommodation. Boligstøtte is not available for homeowners.
2. Permanent residence: You must have a permanent residence in Denmark and be registered with the Danish Civil Registration System (CPR).
3. Household income: Your eligibility and the amount you receive depend on your household income. Lower income households receive more support.
4. Housing type: The size and type of your rental property also affect your eligibility.

How Does 'Boligstøtte' Work?

1. Application process: You can apply for boligstøtte online through Borger.dk, the Danish citizens' portal. You will need MitID to log in and complete the application.
2. Required information: You will need to provide details about your rental agreement, household income, and other relevant information.
3. Calculation of benefit: The amount of boligstøtte you receive is calculated based on:
   • Your household’s total income
   • The size and cost of your rental property
   • The number of people living in your household
4. Monthly payment: Once approved, boligstøtte is paid monthly, directly into your bank account or directly to your housing association who will deduct it from your rent.

Important Points to Note:

1. Changes in circumstances: If your income, rent, or household composition changes, you must update your information, as this can affect your boligstøtte amount.
2. Duration: You can receive boligstøtte as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. There is no fixed duration, but it is reviewed periodically.
3. Repayment: If you receive more boligstøtte than you are entitled to (e.g., due to changes in your income that were not reported), you may be required to repay the excess amount.

Steps to apply for 'Boligstøtte'

1. Gather information: Collect details about your income, rental agreement, and household members.
2. Apply online: Go to Borger.dk and log in with MitID.
3. Fill Out the form: Complete the application form with accurate information.
4. Submit: Submit your application and wait for a response.
5. Receive decision: You will be notified of the decision and the amount you are eligible to receive.