Corporate leasing 2026 – rules, permits and company housing

Block leasing is used when a tenant leases several residential apartments in order to sublet them in the next tier, for example as corporate housing, staff accommodation, or organized shared living. As of July 1, 2026, there is clearer regulation in Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code that makes it especially important for the agreement to be tailored to the actual model.

Block leasing according to Chapter 12, Section 1 e of the Land Code

Current regulations state that a lease agreement covering at least three residential apartments may contain terms that deviate from the rules for residential apartments if the requirements for block leasing are met. However, the terms must not conflict with the rules that apply to commercial premises.

The Regional Rent and Tenancy Tribunal shall grant permission if the arrangement concerns an acceptable group and there are no special reasons against granting it. The law explicitly points out three common models: housing for the tenant's own employees, leasing to a legal entity that in turn offers housing to persons working for that legal entity, and certain shared housing arrangements where the resident has private access to a portion of the space while sharing other areas with others.

When is the Regional Rent and Tenancy Tribunal's permission required?

In normal cases, the parties need to apply for permission when the block lease agreement contains deviating terms. An important exception applies when the state, a municipality, a region, or a municipal association is the landlord. For private property owners and commercial arrangements, the issue of permission should therefore be handled before the agreement is applied.

Issue	What should be checked?
Number of apartments	At least three residential apartments for block leasing according to Section 1 e.
Target group	Employees, clearly defined group, corporate housing, or qualified shared living.
Subletting	Who is allowed to sublet, to whom, and on what terms?
Permission	Whether the Regional Rent and Tenancy Tribunal's permission is required and which deviations are to be approved.
Contract duration and exit	What happens to subtenants when the master agreement terminates?

Adjusted rent in block leasing

The 2026 regulations also contain provisions regarding adjusted rent. For an apartment that has previously been leased via block leasing, the parties may agree in a specially prepared document that the rent shall be determined with regard to, among other things, the conditions of the block lease agreement and the rental business being conducted. This does not mean the rent is entirely free; the reasonableness can still be challenged.

What should a professional block lease agreement regulate?

A well-written agreement should not only specify rent and lease duration. For commercial arrangements, it is often at least as important to regulate the distribution of responsibilities throughout the entire contract period.

• Which apartments are included and how they may be used.
• The specific group of residents to whom subletting is permitted.
• Rent, indexation, operating costs, and other surcharges.
• Responsibility for furnishings, maintenance, damages, and restoration.
• Procedures for keys, access, inspections, and moving out.
• Insurance, disturbances, unauthorized use, and breach of contract.
• Security of tenure and any special agreements.
• Consequences if the Regional Rent and Tenancy Tribunal's permission is missing, expires, or changes.
• How sub-agreements are to be handled when the block lease agreement ends.

Common mistakes

1. Using a standard residential lease agreement. Block leasing has a different structure and risk profile.
2. Not defining the permitted group. The setup must align with the model permitted by the authorization and the law.
3. Confusing corporate housing with commercial premises lease. The fact that the tenant is a company does not automatically mean the apartment is legally a commercial premise.
4. Lacking exit rules. Master agreements and sub-agreements must be synchronized in time.
5. Describing the rent unclearly. Base rent, surcharges, services, and expense reimbursements should be separated.

Common questions about block leasing

How many apartments are required?

Block leasing according to Chapter 12, Section 1 e of the Land Code requires at least three residential apartments.

Can a company block-lease housing for staff?

Yes. Staff and corporate housing are explicitly one of the models targeted by the regulation, provided that other requirements are met.

Can block leasing be used for coliving?

Yes, certain shared housing arrangements are explicitly covered by the regulation when the residents use a part of the home alone, share other parts, and the home is adapted for this use.

Is the rent free in block leasing?

No. The rules on adjusted rent allow for greater consideration of the specific conditions of the arrangement, but reasonableness is still relevant.

Must the agreement be in writing?

Lease agreements must be drawn up in writing if the landlord or tenant requests it. In a complex block leasing relationship, a detailed written agreement is in practice essential.

Sources and legal basis

• Chapter 12, Land Code, Swedish Parliament

Last updated: October 4, 2026. This article provides general information and does not replace individual legal advice.