Renting out your home can be a great way to generate extra income while making use of a property that would otherwise be vacant. With the right preparation, the rental process can be both safe and straightforward for you as a landlord.

At the same time, there are a few common mistakes that can make the process more complicated than it needs to be. By understanding the rules and planning ahead, you can reduce potential risks and improve your chances of a successful rental.

Here are our five most important tips.

Thinking about renting out your home? Try Samtrygg’s rent calculator to get an estimate of what your property could be rented out for.

1. Make sure you can obtain permission

In most cases, you need permission before subletting an apartment or a rental apartment.

If you own an apartment, you will usually need approval from your housing association before renting it out. If you rent a rental apartment, you will normally need permission from your landlord. We recommend checking the rules that apply to your specific property as early as possible. Once you have found a suitable tenant, you can sign the tenancy agreement while applying for permission at the same time.

Read more in our guide to permission for subletting.

2. Document the condition of the property

Before your tenant moves in, you should carefully document the condition of the property.

We recommend that you:

• Take photographs of the property
• Complete an inspection report
• Prepare an inventory list if the property is rented out furnished
• Document any existing damage or signs of wear and tear

Clear documentation reduces the risk of misunderstandings when the tenancy comes to an end.

When you rent out your home through Samtrygg, you have access to an inspection report, inventory list and key receipt form as part of the rental process.

3. Use a legally sound tenancy agreement

A clear tenancy agreement provides security for both the landlord and the tenant.

The agreement should include, among other things:

• Rent
• Rental period
• Notice period
• What is included in the rent
• Any special terms and conditions

When you rent out your home through Samtrygg, legally reviewed tenancy agreements are used. They are designed to comply with Swedish legislation and the current rules governing subletting.

Read more: What should a tenancy agreement include?

4. Set a fair rent

Setting the right rental price is one of the most important parts of a successful rental.

For privately owned homes, such as apartments, houses and holiday homes, rent can be set based on market demand, while tenants are still protected against substantially excessive rents.

For rental apartments, special rules regarding fair rent and the utility value principle apply.

Our experience shows that a competitive rental price often results in more enquiries, more viewings and a shorter time to find a tenant. Since 2013, Samtrygg has helped thousands of landlords successfully rent out their homes. Our rent calculator is based on data from real rentals and provides an excellent starting point when determining the right rental price.

Try Samtrygg’s rent calculator to get an estimate of a suitable rental price for your property.