7 September 2026
Rental deposit in Slovakia: how much, what for and when to return it
The deposit ("peňažná zábezpeka" in the statute) protects the landlord against unpaid rent, unpaid charges for services connected with the flat and damage to the flat. For a short-term lease of a flat under Slovak Act No. 98/2014 the limits are clear.
What the law says:
- The deposit may not exceed three times the monthly rent (Section 5(2)).
- It may only be used for the purposes agreed in the lease: rent and charge arrears, damage to the flat or its equipment and other claims arising from the lease.
- If the landlord uses the deposit or part of it, the tenant must top it up within the period agreed in the lease.
- After the lease ends and the flat is vacated, the landlord must return the unused part within one month at the latest (Section 5(3)). For leases under the Civil Code the contract governs, so always state the deadline and purpose explicitly.
How to avoid disputes:
- Put the amount, purpose and return deadline in the lease. The SmartRent lease template includes these clauses.
- Document the state of the flat at handover with a handover protocol, photos and meter readings. Without a protocol, damage is hard to prove.
- Account for any use of the deposit in writing: what, how much and on what basis you deducted.
In SmartRent the deposit is recorded on the tenancy itself: amount, date received, date returned and a note. When the lease ends you have the protocol, the readings and the settlement in one place, which is what the deposit return is based on.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult a lawyer about your specific contract.
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