Subletting agreement – Word/PDF + English + guide

Lease agreement for subletting under Swedish law – an updated 2026/2027 package for subletting rental apartments (hyresrätt), owner-occupied apartments (bostadsrätt), and other privately owned homes. The package includes a main Swedish template in Word/PDF, an English reference, and detailed user guides in Swedish and English.

What is included

Lease agreement – subletting DOCX	Editable Swedish master template.
Lease agreement – subletting PDF	Print-ready Swedish version.
Swedish user guide – DOCX + PDF	Explains choice of regulations, permits, rent, notice, and security of tenure.
English reference – DOCX + PDF	English reference version governed by Swedish law.
English user guide – DOCX + PDF	English guidance on the same Swedish rules.

Subletting a rental apartment (hyresrätt)

Anyone renting a rental apartment who allows someone else to use the entire home independently normally requires the landlord's consent. If the landlord says no, the primary tenant can apply for permission from the Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden).

Permission normally requires valid reasons, such as temporary work or studies in another location, illness, or cohabitation trials. The sublessor remains responsible toward their own landlord.

Subletting an owner-occupied apartment (bostadsrätt)

As a general rule, an owner-occupier needs the board's consent for subletting. If the board refuses, the Rent Tribunal can grant permission if the owner-occupier has grounds for the sublet and the association does not have reasonable cause to object.

According to the 2026 wording, previous sublets are only to be taken into account when they have occurred to a significant extent. Permission from the Rent Tribunal must be limited to a specific time period.

Reasonable rent for a sublet rental apartment

When subletting under Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code, the rent may not exceed the rent the sublessor pays themselves, plus permitted surcharges.

• Furniture and other equipment: a maximum of 15% of the sublessor's own rent.
• Electricity, broadband, parking, and other utilities: no more than the sublessor's actual costs.
• When renting out only part of the home, the base rent must be pro-rated according to the extent of the sublet.

Rent when the Private Rental Act (2026:772) applies

For new agreements falling under the Private Rental Act, the rent must be agreed upon as a specific amount. The parties may additionally agree on certain consumption-based utilities in accordance with the law's provisions.

The Rent Tribunal can review the rent against the new law's comparative model. The old model from the 2012 law – capital costs based on the home's market value plus operating costs – should therefore not be used automatically for new agreements after July 1, 2026.

The Private Rental Act also permits index clauses under specific conditions. The party wishing to implement an index adjustment must notify the other party in writing, and as a general rule, the previous rent must have applied for at least one year.

Overcharging and refunds

For sublets covered by Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code, the Rent Tribunal can order a refund if the sublessor has charged rent exceeding a reasonable level.

A decision according to Chapter 12, Section 55f can cover a maximum of two years prior to the application date. If the subtenant has already vacated the home, the application must normally have been received by the Rent Tribunal within three months of moving out.

Lease term and notice

The template has separate selections for open-ended and fixed-term agreements and warns against using the same termination clause regardless of the legal framework.

• Chapter 12, Swedish Land Code: an open-ended agreement for a home can, as a general rule, be terminated to the end of the month occurring three months after the notice. The tenant always has a statutory right to terminate a residential lease with three months' notice to the end of the month.
• Private Rental Act: a fixed-term agreement normally ends on the agreed end date. The tenant is always allowed to terminate the agreement to the end of the month, at the earliest three months after the notice.

Security of tenure

A subtenant renting a rental apartment under Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code normally gains security of tenure only after the sublet has lasted for more than two consecutive years.

If the parties need to agree on a waiver of security of tenure, this must be done in a specially prepared document using the correct form and procedure. The same system of security of tenure does not apply under the Private Rental Act.

Late rent payment – different time limits

For residential leases under Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code, a delay in payment of more than one week after the due date can constitute grounds for forfeiture. Under the Private Rental Act, a delay of more than two weeks is specified as grounds for the sublessor to terminate the agreement prematurely.

This does not mean automatic eviction. Statutory rules regarding rectification, recovery, and procedures may still apply.

Security deposit

The template has a separate section for deposits regarding the amount, payment date, which documented claims may be offset, and when the refund is to take place. The deposit is not described as an automatic fee that the sublessor may keep.

Inspection, inventory, and keys

Move-in inspection, inventory lists, known defects, keys, and photo/video documentation can be documented in the agreement or as attachments. This reduces the risk of later disputes regarding damages and normal wear and tear.

Duty of care, conduct, and further subletting

The subtenant must take care of the home and follow applicable rules of conduct and association rules. The template does not contain any general right to sublet the home further or transfer the agreement without the necessary consent.

English reference included

The English version is an English-language reference governed by Swedish law. The Swedish version is the master version in this product package.

Would you like the English version as the primary product? See Sublease Agreement Template – Swedish Law →

When individual advice is particularly appropriate

Consider individual advice for long-term subletting, multiple sublet properties, uncertainty regarding which law applies, very high rent, disputes over permits, security of tenure, forfeiture/eviction, or major damage claims.

File format and delivery

Format: DOCX, PDF, and ZIP.
Language: Swedish master version + English reference.
Number of files: 8.
Total: 12 pages across the four documents.
Delivery: Digital download. No physical product is sent.

FAQ

Does the Private Rental Act apply when I sublet my rental apartment?

No. The Private Rental Act (2026:772) expressly does not apply when the sublessor themselves holds the home as a rental apartment. In that case, Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code is the starting point.

Am I allowed to add 15% for furniture?

When subletting a rental apartment under the Land Code, surcharges for furniture and other equipment may not exceed 15% of the sublessor's own rent.

Can a subtenant get overcharged rent back?

Yes, in situations where the refund rules of Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code apply, the Rent Tribunal can decide on a refund of unreasonable rent according to the time limits specified by law.

Do I need a permit even if I don't charge rent?

Yes, independent use of a rental apartment or owner-occupied apartment can constitute subletting even without rent. The permit rules must therefore be checked separately from the question of compensation.

Are the rules the same for rental apartments and owner-occupied apartments?

No. This is the main reason why the new template has a specific rule-selection step. Permits, rent setting, and security of tenure can differ significantly.

This package is a general documentation aid under Swedish law and does not replace individual legal advice.