---
title: "Does the landlord have to pay interest on a deposit?"
author: "William Wiklund"
authorUrl: "https://bofrid.com/en/articles/authors/william-wiklund"
datePublished: "2026-11-05T07:15:04.240Z"
dateModified: "2026-11-05T07:15:04.263Z"
description: "Does your landlord have to pay interest on a deposit? Find out what your agreement says, when late-payment interest may apply and how to ask for your..."
keywords: ["does a landlord have to pay interest on a deposit", "interest on a rental deposit in Sweden", "late-payment interest on a deposit", "getting a rental deposit back in Sweden", "interest clause in a tenancy agreement"]
categories: ["Guides", "Landlord"]
canonical: "https://bofrid.com/en/articles/does-the-landlord-have-to-pay-interest-on-a-deposit"
language: "en"
image: "https://bofrid.media/cms/581cdfe774b0ae2feea6c97f728bbe0855ddc22a.webp"
---

# Does the landlord have to pay interest on a deposit?

No, landlords do not normally have to pay interest on a deposit. Interest is payable only if the agreement provides for it, or if the landlord owes late-payment interest because repayment has been delayed. Keeping the deposit in a separate account does not, by itself, give the tenant a statutory right to any interest earned on it.

## Does the landlord have to pay interest on a deposit?

The key points are what the parties agreed and whether the landlord has delayed repayment. There is no general rule giving a tenant the right to interest on a deposit simply because the money was kept separate or earned interest in an account.

Start by checking the agreement. If it expressly states that the deposit will earn interest or that interest will be paid to the tenant, you can ask for the interest due under that term. If the agreement says nothing about interest, you do not automatically have the right to claim any interest the bank may have paid to the landlord.

This concerns interest earned while the deposit is being held. Late-payment interest is a separate matter: it may be due if the landlord fails to repay a debt on time. You need to be able to show that the money was due back and when payment was due. Räntelagen (the Swedish Interest Act) governs late-payment interest, but it does not make a deposit interest-bearing throughout the tenancy.

## The agreement, the account and late repayment

| Scenario | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The agreement says interest belongs to the tenant | Ask for interest under the relevant term and request a calculation | Tenancy agreement |
| The agreement is silent and the deposit has earned interest | There is no automatic right to that interest merely because it was earned | The agreement and general rules on contractual obligations |
| Repayment is late after you have made a demand | Late-payment interest may apply under the Swedish Interest Act; when it starts depends on whether a due date was agreed and when the demand was sent | Räntelagen (1975:635) (the Swedish Interest Act) |
| The landlord deducts money for alleged damage | Ask for evidence of the damage and the amount; the dispute concerns the deduction, not interest on the deposit | The agreement and supporting evidence |

A separate account can be a sensible way to keep the money apart, but it is not, by itself, a promise to pay interest to the tenant. If the account is in the landlord’s name and the bank pays interest into it, who can claim that interest depends on the agreement and the legal basis on which the money is held. Do not assume the tenant is entitled to the interest without such a basis.

Keep the agreement, proof of payment and all written correspondence. If the landlord says the deposit has earned interest, ask which term of the agreement or other legal basis requires the interest to be passed on to you. To read more about repayment itself, see [How long does the landlord have to return the deposit?](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/how-long-does-a-landlord-have-to-repay-a-deposit).

## When might late-payment interest apply?

Late-payment interest does not apply for a period when the landlord is still entitled under the agreement to investigate whether a deduction is justified. It may, however, apply once repayment is due and the landlord still has not paid. If the agreement gives a specific repayment date, that may determine when the delay starts. If no due date is specified, a written demand for payment may affect when interest starts to accrue under the Swedish Interest Act.

In broad terms, the Swedish Interest Act allows late-payment interest to be claimed when a payment is overdue. The statutory rate is calculated using the reference rate plus an additional margin. The reference rate can change, so check the current rate with Riksbanken (the Swedish central bank) before calculating the amount. In your demand, state the amount due, why it must be repaid and the date from which you believe late-payment interest should be calculated.

If the landlord disputes your claim, ask for a written response and supporting evidence. A dispute over a debt can ultimately be decided by a court. Hyresnämnden (the Rent Tribunal) deals with many tenancy disputes, but not every type of payment claim; check which body can decide your particular dispute before applying.

## What to do step by step

1. **Read the deposit clause.** Check what it says about interest, deductions, inspection of the property and the repayment date.
2. **Gather evidence.** Keep the agreement, a receipt or bank statement showing the payment, and messages about the deposit.
3. **Ask for an itemised explanation.** Write to the landlord asking whether any deductions have been made and requesting repayment of the remaining amount.
4. **Separate interest from repayment.** If the agreement gives you a right to interest, refer to that term. If payment is late, make a separate claim for late-payment interest.
5. **Set a clear deadline.** Give a specific payment date and keep evidence of when you sent your demand. Avoid stating a specific interest amount unless you have checked the calculation.
6. **Get help if there is a dispute.** If the landlord refuses to pay, ask for written reasons and check the correct route for pursuing a payment claim.

For information about the maximum deposit a landlord can request for subletting, see How much can a landlord charge as a deposit for a sublet?. If your question is instead about what the landlord can deduct, see [What can the landlord deduct from the deposit?](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/rental-deposit-sweden-rules-amount-2026).

## Frequently asked questions

**Can the landlord keep the interest from a separate deposit account?**

That depends on the agreement and the legal basis for the account. Putting the money in a separate account does not automatically give the tenant a right to the interest. Ask the landlord to identify the relevant term.

**Can I claim interest if the agreement does not mention it?**

Not just because the deposit was held in an interest-bearing account. You may, however, be entitled to late-payment interest if the landlord fails to repay a debt that is due.

**When does late-payment interest start to accrue?**

This depends, among other things, on whether the agreement gives a due date and when you demanded payment. Refer to the Swedish Interest Act and state clearly in your written demand the date on which you believe the delay began.

**What should I do if the landlord does not respond about the deposit?**

Send a written demand stating the amount, the reason for the claim and a payment deadline. Include supporting evidence and keep a copy. Read more about the process in [How much does it cost to get a deposit back?](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/what-does-it-cost-to-get-your-deposit-back).

*This text provides general information and is not legal advice.*