Landlords

Sell or rent out your apartment in Sweden? How to decide

Whether you should sell or rent out your tenant-owned apartment (bostadsrätt) depends on whether you want to keep the home, whether you need the money now and whether the housing cooperative approves the rental. Renting out gives you rental income and lets you wait to sell, but you need the cooperative’s consent and a tenant you can trust. Selling frees up the capital right away and you avoid the responsibility of being a landlord.

Calculate what your home can be rented out for

Sell or rent out: the questions that decide

Start with three questions: do you want to live there again, do you need the money now and are you ready to be a landlord for a while? If the answer to the first is yes, renting out is often the natural choice, because you can move back when the rental period ends. If you need the capital for a new purchase, selling is usually the better fit.

Then look at the numbers. Compare the rent you can get with your own costs for the monthly fee, mortgage and insurance. The rent calculator shows what similar homes have been rented out for, based on completed rentals of similar homes through Samtrygg, so you have a reasonable rent to work with.

Don’t forget tax. Rental income can be taxable, but you can also make deductions. The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) has a calculation tool that shows what applies to you.

Hard to sell? Rent out in the meantime

If your apartment is hard to sell, you can rent it out for a period instead of lowering the price. The rent covers part of your costs while you wait, and you can sell later when it suits you better.

But you need the cooperative’s consent for subletting (renting out second hand, andrahand in Swedish). If the board says no, the Rent Tribunal (hyresnämnden) can grant permission if you have reasons and the cooperative has no justified reason to refuse. Since 1 July 2026, previous rentals only count against you if they have been extensive, so you can rent out for longer periods than before. Read more in our guide to renting out a tenant-owned apartment.

What applies when you rent out instead of selling?

When you rent out your tenant-owned apartment, house or owner-occupied apartment as a private person, the lease follows the Private Rental Act (privatuthyrningslagen). You and the tenant agree on the rent. If it is significantly higher than what similar homes normally cost, the tenant can have it reviewed by the Rent Tribunal, so set a rent you can stand behind.

A lease that runs until further notice can be terminated by either you or the tenant with three months’ notice, to the end of a month. A fixed-term lease ends when the rental period expires, but the tenant can always terminate it with three months’ notice. The tenant has no security of tenure (besittningsskydd), so once the lease has ended correctly you get your home back.

If you own a house rather than an apartment, the same rules apply, and no cooperative needs to approve the rental. The same rules also apply if you rent out to a company, for example a home for an employee.

Selling a home with a tenant

If you might want to sell a home with a tenant later on, it is easiest to plan for it when you sign the lease. With a fixed-term lease you know when the home will be vacant, and you can set the handover date after the rental period has ended. A lease that runs until further notice gives you more flexibility, since it can be terminated with three months’ notice.

Talk to your tenant about your plans in good time, so you can agree on things like viewings. If you are unsure what applies in your case, get legal advice before you put the home on the market.

Why rent out through Samtrygg

If you rent out instead of selling, you want to know the rent comes in and your home is looked after. When you rent out through Samtrygg you create a free listing, and we contact you before the home is published to help you assess the rent. You always choose who gets to rent, and you sign the lease directly with the tenant.

The Safety Package is included free of charge for landlords:

• Rent guarantee for up to 12 months
• Rental insurance that covers damage a standard home insurance does not cover
• Verified home seekers and credit checks of tenants
• Standardised lease, written by Samtrygg’s lawyers
• Inspection report at move-in and move-out
• Legal advice
• Free marketing
• Personal service and help throughout the process

Behind the service is experience from more than 25,000 rentals. And when you want to sell later, you have a clear lease and an inspection report that shows the condition of your home.

Frequently asked questions about selling or renting out your apartment

Can I sell my apartment while it is rented out?

You decide when to sell, but the lease affects when a buyer can move in. Plan the sale around how the lease ends, either when a fixed rental period expires or after termination with three months’ notice. If you are unsure, get legal advice.

Can I sell a house with a tenant?

Yes, you can plan a sale even if the house is rented out, and the rules for the lease are the same as for an apartment. The tenant has no security of tenure, so once the lease has ended correctly the house is yours to hand over. Set the handover date after the lease ends to avoid clashes.

Do I need the cooperative’s approval to rent out?

Yes, you need the housing cooperative’s consent to sublet your tenant-owned apartment. If the board says no, you can apply for permission from the Rent Tribunal. If you sublet without consent or permission, you risk losing the apartment.

How long can I rent out my apartment?

The law sets no maximum rental period when you rent out as a private person, but the cooperative needs to approve the rental. When you rent out through Samtrygg the focus is on long-term rentals of six months or more, and the shortest rental period is two months.

Do I have to pay tax on the rent?

Rental income can be taxable, but you can make deductions. How much tax you pay depends on your situation, so use the Swedish Tax Agency’s calculation tool to see what applies to you.

Can I move back when the rental ends?

Yes. The tenant has no security of tenure, so once the lease has ended correctly you have the right to get your home back. That is why renting out works well if you want to keep the option of moving home again.

Summary

Renting out instead of selling suits you if you want to keep your home, don’t need the money right away or want to wait for a better time to sell. You need the cooperative’s consent, a reasonable rent and a lease that fits your plans. If you might sell later, choose the type of lease with the sale in mind.

See what similar homes have been rented out for

Last updated 26 October 2026