Subletting in 2026 – rules for rental apartments and condominiums
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Fact-checked: October 1, 2026 · Swedish rental and owner-occupied housing
Subletting differs depending on whether you are renting the home yourself or if you own it as a condominium or house. For rental apartments, the landlord's consent or permission from the Rent Tribunal is normally required. For condominiums, the board's consent or permission from the Rent Tribunal is normally required.
Subletting rental apartments
If a primary tenant allows someone else to use the apartment independently, it is considered subletting. The landlord's consent is normally required. If the landlord says no, the primary tenant can apply to the Rent Tribunal.
The Rent Tribunal can grant permission when the primary tenant has valid reasons, such as temporary work or studies in another location, illness, or trial cohabitation, and the intended subtenant is reliable.
Subletting condominiums
A condominium owner needs the board's consent to sublet the apartment. If the board says no, the owner can apply to the Rent Tribunal. The rules in the Condominium Act were amended on July 1, 2026, to make the authorization process more flexible; previous subletting shall only be taken into account for continued subletting if it occurred on a significant scale.
The rental relationship between the owner and the person renting the home can, for new agreements, be covered by the Private Rental Act 2026:772. That law does not apply if the rental is for recreational purposes and also contains other limitations.
How high can the rent be?
Subletting rental apartments
For subletting rental apartments, the rules in Chapter 12 of the Land Code apply. The rent may not exceed what is reasonable according to the law's rules. Furniture may justify a limited surcharge, but the rent may not be used to circumvent the rent-setting system.
Privately owned homes – new agreements from July 1, 2026
The new Private Rental Act no longer uses the old model based on capital costs derived from the property's market value and interest rate levels. Instead, the Rent Tribunal can adjust the rent if it is significantly higher than what is generally charged for comparable private rentals.
For agreements entered into before July 1, 2026, however, the older law (2012:978) applies, with its previous rent model.
Security of tenure
As a general rule, anyone subletting a rental apartment only gains security of tenure after the subletting has lasted for more than two consecutive years. This protection can be waived under certain conditions.
Anyone renting a privately owned home under the new Private Rental Act does not have the same right to an extension as with standard residential rentals. It is therefore important not to apply the rules regarding two-year security of tenure mechanically to a privately owned condominium or house.
What should a subletting agreement contain?
- Parties and the property.
- Lease term and move-in date.
- Rent, payment date, and what is included.
- Terms regarding furniture, electricity, internet, and other costs.
- Deposit and clear rules for repayment.
- Notice of termination and which legal framework applies.
- Reference to the landlord's/association's permission.
- Inventory list and inspection report for furnished rentals.
Feel free to supplement with an inventory list and inspection report.
Common mistakes
- Subletting before permission is granted.
- Using old 2012 rules for a new agreement after July 1, 2026.
- Setting the rent for a condominium using the old capital cost model even though the new law applies.
- Believing that having a lodger is always considered subletting.
- Confusing security of tenure for sublet rental apartments and privately owned homes.
Rental agreement for subletting – Word/PDF costs 49 SEK. Adjust the agreement based on whether it concerns a rental apartment, condominium, or other privately owned home, and when the agreement is entered into.
