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Residential Lease Agreement governed by Swedish law – an English-first document package for residential letting in Sweden. The package includes an editable English Word/PDF agreement, a Swedish reference version and detailed user guides in both languages.
Legally reviewed: 6 October 2026
Updated for the new Swedish Private Letting Act (Privatuthyrningslag 2026:772), in force since 1 July 2026, and for current Chapter 12 Land Code rules.
What is included?
| Residential Lease Agreement – DOCX | Editable English primary template governed by Swedish law. |
| Residential Lease Agreement – PDF | Print-ready English version. |
| English user guide – DOCX + PDF | Explains legal regime, rent, notice, consent, deposit and security of tenure. |
| Swedish reference agreement – DOCX + PDF | Swedish reference version for landlords, tenants, advisers and authorities. |
| Swedish reference guide – DOCX + PDF | Corresponding Swedish-language guidance. |
Important from 1 July 2026: two separate Swedish regimes
The older version of this product mainly referred to Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code. Since 1 July 2026, Sweden also has a new Private Letting Act (Privatuthyrningslag 2026:772) for certain residential lettings by natural persons and estates.
The applicable regime affects rent, notice, security of tenure and early termination. The template therefore begins with a dedicated legal-regime selection block.
When does Chapter 12 of the Swedish Land Code apply?
Chapter 12 of the Land Code – often called the Swedish Tenancy Act or hyreslagen – remains the principal framework for many residential tenancies. Typical examples include first-hand residential letting, subletting of a tenancy and arrangements that fall outside the Private Letting Act.
Many provisions are mandatory in favour of the tenant. A contractual clause can therefore be ineffective even if both parties have signed it.
When can the Private Letting Act (2026:772) apply?
The new Act generally applies where a natural person or an estate lets a house or part of a house for residential use against payment, subject to the statutory exclusions.
It does not apply, among other situations, where the landlord holds the dwelling under a tenancy, where the letting is for holiday purposes, or where the landlord regularly lets more than two dwellings that are not part of the landlord's own home.
The former 2012 Act on private letting was repealed on 1 July 2026 but continues to govern agreements entered into under that Act before the new legislation took effect.
Rent – the correct rule depends on the letting
Subletting under Chapter 12
For a sublet tenancy, rent is generally limited by the rent paid by the primary tenant plus permitted additions. For furniture and equipment, the permitted addition may not exceed 15% of the primary rent, while charges for other included utilities may not exceed the landlord's actual cost.
Private Letting Act from 1 July 2026
For agreements governed by the new Private Letting Act, rent is agreed as a fixed amount. Separate charges for items such as electricity, hot water or water can be based on actual consumption costs. The Swedish Rent Tribunal may review and reduce the rent where the statutory conditions are met.
The former cost-based formula under the repealed 2012 Act should therefore not automatically be used for new agreements entered after 1 July 2026.
Term and notice
The template has separate options for indefinite and fixed-term leases.
- Private Letting Act: a fixed-term agreement normally ends at the agreed end date. A tenant may always give notice to a month-end occurring at the earliest three months after notice. For indefinite agreements, the statutory framework also uses a three-month notice period to month-end.
- Chapter 12 Land Code: the main rule for an indefinite residential tenancy is also three months to a month-end, while fixed-term agreements are subject to the Land Code's specific rules.
Security of tenure
Security of tenure differs between the regimes. Agreements governed by the new Private Letting Act do not provide the same security of tenure as ordinary residential tenancy under Chapter 12. In ordinary subletting, security of tenure may arise, commonly after more than two consecutive years. Any waiver should be handled using the correct separate procedure and, where required, with the Rent Tribunal.
Consent and permission for subletting
If the person letting the dwelling is a tenant, subletting normally requires the primary landlord's consent or permission from the Rent Tribunal. For a condominium, the owner normally needs the condominium association's consent or permission from the Rent Tribunal.
If the lease is signed before approval has been obtained, the agreement should clearly state that it is conditional upon the required consent or permission. The template includes this option.
Late payment – different statutory thresholds
Under Chapter 12 of the Land Code, residential rent that remains unpaid for more than one week after the due date may constitute a ground for forfeiture. Under the Private Letting Act, more than two weeks' delay is identified as a ground for the landlord to terminate the agreement early.
This does not mean that eviction follows automatically. Statutory notice, cure, reinstatement and procedural rules may still have to be followed.
Deposit
The agreement includes a structured deposit section for amount, payment date, permitted deductions and repayment. A deposit should not be treated as an automatic additional fee or automatically retained at the end of the tenancy.
Condition report, inventory and evidence
The template includes fields for move-in inspection, inventory, keys, meter readings and known defects. Photo documentation and signed attachments are recommended to reduce later disputes about damage and normal wear.
Tenant care obligations and damage
The agreement distinguishes ordinary wear from damage for which the tenant may be responsible. Statutory landlord duties cannot simply be transferred to the tenant through a generic clause.
Landlord access
The landlord does not have unrestricted access to the dwelling. The template refers only to circumstances in which access is permitted under Swedish law and the agreement, for example necessary inspection or urgent work.
Occupants, pets, smoking and house rules
Optional fields are included for occupants, pets, smoking and additional house rules. Such terms still need to comply with mandatory law, condominium or property rules and the circumstances of the particular tenancy.
Insurance
The agreement allows the parties to record insurance responsibilities and whether the tenant should maintain home insurance. Both parties should confirm that their insurance actually covers the relevant letting arrangement.
English primary – Swedish reference included
The English agreement is the primary version in this product. The Swedish version is included as a reference. Both versions are structured around Swedish law.
This is not a UK or US residential lease. English terminology is used to make the document easier to work with internationally, but the legal framework is Swedish.
Prefer the Swedish-first product? See Bostadshyresavtal – Word/PDF + English + användarguide →
When individual advice is particularly appropriate
Individual legal review is recommended if the applicable regime is uncertain, for long-term letting, multiple rented dwellings, block letting, corporate landlords or tenants, a dispute about rent, waiver of security of tenure, forfeiture/eviction, or more complex ownership and occupancy arrangements.
File formats and delivery
Formats: DOCX, PDF and ZIP.
Languages: English primary version + Swedish reference.
Number of files: 8.
Total pages: 22 across the four documents.
Delivery: digital download. No physical product is shipped.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Private Letting Act always apply when a private person lets a home?
No. The Act has several statutory exclusions. For example, it does not apply when the landlord themselves holds the dwelling under a tenancy.
Can the landlord charge any rent they want?
No. The applicable rent rules depend on the legal regime, and rent may be subject to review.
Is permission required for subletting?
Often yes. Tenancies and condominiums have different consent rules. Check that the correct approval has been obtained before the letting begins.
Does a subtenant have security of tenure?
That depends on which statutory regime applies and how long the tenancy has continued. Security of tenure should therefore not be handled with a generic waiver clause.
Does the template guarantee that every lease will be valid?
No. The package is a general documentation aid. The correct legal regime, mandatory rules, required permissions and the actual circumstances of the letting must be assessed in each case.
This package is a general documentation aid governed by Swedish law and does not replace individual legal advice. The agreement must be adapted to the correct type of letting and the parties' actual circumstances.
