Number of people in 'insecure' rentals has doubled in a decade: report
The number of people in Sweden living with insecure rental contracts has risen significantly over the past decade, a new study from Swedish radio shows.
Looking to move? Find your next rental apartment here.
The number of tenants living with an 'unstable' contract has more than doubled over the last ten years, according to figures from the country's rent tribunals assessed by Sveriges Radio's Ekot programme.
In this context, tenants lacking a 'right of possession' to their home were considered to live in unstable conditions.
The right of possession, or besittningsrätt as it is known in Swedish, entitles tenants to stay in a property if they rent it first-hand, and can also apply to sublets or second-hand rentals if the tenant has lived there for over two years.
READ ALSO:
-
How much does it cost to rent in Sweden?
-
'Deregulate housing market,' IMF urges Sweden
-
What you need to know about second-hand rentals in Sweden – and how to avoid being ripped off
However, most contracts for sublets or second-hand rentals waive this right, making it much easier for landlords to terminate rental agreements with as little as three month's notice.
There are other situations in which the right of possession is usually waived, including many kinds of temporary accommodation such as those provided to new arrivals in Sweden. This also often applies to apartments which are rented out ahead of their planned demolition.
During 2018, 24,600 applications were made to Swedish rent tribunals for an exemption to the right of possession.
FOR MEMBERS: What rights do I have as a second-hand renter in Sweden?
Comments
See Also
The number of tenants living with an 'unstable' contract has more than doubled over the last ten years, according to figures from the country's rent tribunals assessed by Sveriges Radio's Ekot programme.
In this context, tenants lacking a 'right of possession' to their home were considered to live in unstable conditions.
The right of possession, or besittningsrätt as it is known in Swedish, entitles tenants to stay in a property if they rent it first-hand, and can also apply to sublets or second-hand rentals if the tenant has lived there for over two years.
READ ALSO:
- How much does it cost to rent in Sweden?
- 'Deregulate housing market,' IMF urges Sweden
- What you need to know about second-hand rentals in Sweden – and how to avoid being ripped off
However, most contracts for sublets or second-hand rentals waive this right, making it much easier for landlords to terminate rental agreements with as little as three month's notice.
There are other situations in which the right of possession is usually waived, including many kinds of temporary accommodation such as those provided to new arrivals in Sweden. This also often applies to apartments which are rented out ahead of their planned demolition.
During 2018, 24,600 applications were made to Swedish rent tribunals for an exemption to the right of possession.
FOR MEMBERS: What rights do I have as a second-hand renter in Sweden?
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.