# Rental deposit in Luxembourg: check the ceiling and return dates

Enter the monthly base rent, the deposit asked and the date the keys are handed back. The calculator compares the deposit with 2 months of base rent and shows the date for the first half of the deposit. It does not compute a date for the balance.

[Rental deposit in Luxembourg: check the ceiling and return dates](https://chathome.lu/en/insights/garantie-locative-plafond-restitution)
Sources checked: 2026-10-14

## Key takeaways in 30 seconds

- The calculator multiplies the monthly base rent, excluding charges, by 2. A deposit asked above that amount is shown with the excess.
- The calculator shows the date for the first half of the deposit: 1 calendar month after the keys are handed back, assuming matching entry and exit inventories without damage.
- The balance is due after the charges statements are received, or after the annual accounts are approved. The calculator shows no date for it, because neither document is an input.

## Keep the deposit separate from monthly costs

Start with the base rent written in the lease, excluding charges. Compare the requested deposit with the statutory ceiling before adding agency fees, the first rent payment or moving costs to your budget. A bank guarantee and a cash deposit have different cash requirements; the ceiling check does not quote bank fees.

## A handover date is not the entire return file

Record the date the keys were actually returned and compare the signed entry and exit inventories. The first-half timing shown by the tool assumes matching inventories without damage. The balance depends on the charges statement or approved annual accounts. Without those documents, the tool cannot give its due date or calculate justified deductions.

## Check assistance without treating it as approval

The State guarantee section checks entered household income, composition and rent. Passing those checks is not an official grant: the authority must confirm residence, lease and all other conditions. Keep the requested deposit and supporting documents. A late-return penalty needs the applicable registered-letter notice; this calculator does not add it automatically.

## Worked examples

Fictional base rents and requested deposits, excluding charges. The existing statutory formula checks the ceiling only, not State assistance or bank fees.

| Monthly base rent | Requested deposit | Legal ceiling | Amount above ceiling |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| €1,200.00 | €2,400.00 | €2,400.00 | €0.00 |
| €1,800.00 | €4,500.00 | €3,600.00 | €900.00 |
| €2,500.00 | €4,000.00 | €5,000.00 | €0.00 |

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## Frequently asked questions

### Can the calculator show a deposit above the ceiling?

Yes. If the deposit asked is above 2 months of base rent, the calculator shows the amount above that limit.

### When is the first half of the deposit due?

The calculator shows the date 1 calendar month after the key return date you enter, assuming matching entry and exit inventories without damage.

### What happens if the deposit is not returned on time?

The calculator does not add a penalty. After a registered-letter notice from the tenant, a penalty of 10 percent of the monthly rent is added for each started month of delay.

## Official sources

- [Legilux](https://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/loi/2006/09/21/n1/consolide)
- [Ministère du Logement](https://logement.public.lu/fr/locataire/obtenir-aide-location/garantielocative.html)
- [Guichet.lu](https://guichet.public.lu/fr/citoyens/logement/location/contrat-litige/conclure-contrat-bail-location.html)

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