Different forms of housing
Rented housing
If you live in rented housing, you rent (borrow) your apartment from a landlord. The landlord that owns the building is generally a company. The company can be owned by individuals or a municipality.
As a tenant you do not need to pay anything if, for example, your refrigerator or freezer breaks down. When something breaks down in your apartment, the landlord has to repair it.
If your have your own tenancy agreement with the landlord for your apartment (förstahandskontrakt), you have the right to live in your apartment for as long as you want. If you want to move, you generally have to stay on for three months first (or anyway pay three months’ rent after you have said you are moving). This is called the notice period.
The tenant’s right to cancel the tenancy agreement
If the tenancy agreement applies to a dwelling unit, the tenant may always cancel the tenancy agreement, which is then terminated at the end of the month that occurs no earlier than three months after the notice of cancellation.
The landlord’s right to cancel the tenancy agreement
Normally the tenant has the right to live in their apartment for an indefinite period. But the tenancy may be terminated if the tenant:
Is more than one week late in paying the rent.
Transfers or rents out the dwelling without the permission of the landlord.
Uses the dwellings for some purpose other than the propose it is intended for, such as criminal activities or extensive business activities.
Is responsible for pests entering the property or fails to report the spread of pests there.
Without good reason refuses the landlord access to the dwelling for repairs, for instance.
Neglects the dwelling or does not fulfil the obligations stated in the tenancy agreement.
Cooperative housing
You have to pay a deposit, or down payment, to live in cooperative (tenant-owner) housing. This means that you buy a share in the association that owns the property (building). You become a member of the association and are entitled to use the apartment. When you live in cooperative housing, you must pay a charge to the association every month. It you have borrowed money for your apartment, you also have to make interest and amortisation payments to the bank.
Sub-tenant
Being a sub-tenant (hyra i andra hand) means that you rent from the person who has the tenancy agreement for the apartment. If you want to rent an apartment as a sub-tenant it is important to find out whether the landlord has approved the sub-tenancy. Remember to sign a contract when you are going to rent an apartment as a sub-tenant. If you have not signed a contract, you may be forced to move if the person who has the tenancy agreement with the landlord so demands.
How to find an apartment
Many towns and cities have a housing exchange. A housing exchange usually has a website on the Internet where you can register and look for apartments for rent. When you have registered, you have to go to the website often to see whether any new apartments for rent have been posted. If you see an advert for an apartment, you can apply for that apartment.
When you have looked at an apartment, you must say yes or no to the landlord. The landlord contacts you if you are the one who gets the tenancy agreement for the apartment.
Tips for apartment-hunters
It can also be a good idea to show your interest direct to the landlord. Most large landlords have their own website where you can register.
Ask your friends and acquaintances what landlords they rent from and ask to give you their names and addresses. You can tell the landlord that your friends already live in one of the landlord's buildings.
Look for adverts for apartments for rent in various daily newspapers or on the Internet. There you can find apartments that you can rent as a sub-tenant, i.e. not direct from the landlord.