Landlords
Renting out a house to a family member: the rules for houses and apartments
You can rent out a house to a family member on the same terms as to anyone else. If you own the house you can usually decide for yourself, while a tenant-owned apartment (bostadsrätt) needs the housing cooperative’s consent and a rental apartment (hyresrätt) needs your landlord’s. The rent follows the usual rules, and a written lease means you both know where you stand if life takes a new turn.
Do you need permission to rent to a family member?
Whether you need permission to rent out a house to a family member depends on the home, not on who moves in. If you own a house, a terraced house or a freehold apartment, you can decide for yourself in most cases, and the rental then follows the Private Rental Act (privatuthyrningslagen). It’s a good idea to call your insurance company before the move, so you know how your home insurance is affected.
If you rent your own apartment, you need your landlord’s permission, or the Rent Tribunal’s (hyresnämnden) if the landlord says no. That takes an acceptable reason such as work or studies elsewhere, and wanting to help a family member is rarely enough on its own. If you stay and share the apartment, your family member counts as a lodger instead, and then no permission is needed. Read more in our guide to getting permission to rent out.
Renting out a tenant-owned apartment to a family member
To rent out a tenant-owned apartment to a family member, you need the housing cooperative’s (bostadsrättsförening) consent, just as for any other second-hand rental, and that includes terraced houses held as tenant-owned homes. Wanting to rent to your child or another family member is often accepted as a reason, but the cooperative assesses each case, and if it says no you can apply to the Rent Tribunal.
Since 1 July 2026, earlier rentals only count if they’ve been extensive, which makes a yes easier to get even if the apartment has been rented out before. Consent is also needed if your family member lives there without paying, since someone other than you has the apartment.
Renting out a house to your child: what to think about
Treat it as a real rental, even when it’s your own child moving in. Signing a lease with someone you raised can feel like overkill, but it’s when people know each other that they skip the formalities, and that’s where most misunderstandings start. A missed rent payment is also a harder conversation between parent and child than between landlord and tenant.
If your child lives there for free, it’s generally not a rental but a loan of the home. The rental rules then don’t apply in the same way, and you’re both without the protection a lease gives.
How much rent can you charge a family member?
You’re welcome to charge less than you could, but there’s a limit on how high you can go. If you rent out a house, a tenant-owned apartment or a freehold apartment, you and the tenant agree on the rent, and for leases signed from 1 July 2026 it just can’t be significantly higher than for similar homes. If it is, the Rent Tribunal can lower it at the tenant’s request.
For a rental apartment rented out second-hand, the reasonable-rent rules in the Swedish Land Code (jordabalken) apply, where the rent is compared with equivalent apartments based on their utility value (bruksvärde). In practice you usually can’t charge more than you pay yourself, plus a supplement if the apartment is furnished. For a starting point, you can work out a reasonable rent with the rent calculator.
Do you need a lease when renting to a family member?
Yes, a written lease matters just as much when renting to a family member as in any other rental, and it means you remember the agreement the same way, even a couple of years later. Include the rental period, the rent, what’s included, who pays for electricity and other costs and what applies on termination. Document the condition in an inspection report at move-in and move-out as well, together with an inventory list and a key receipt. Read more about what a lease should contain.
For leases under the Private Rental Act signed from 1 July 2026, the notice period is three months for both parties. That gives you time to plan if your family member moves out, and gives them time to find somewhere new if you need the home yourself.
How is renting to a family member taxed?
Rent from a family member can be taxable just like any other rent, and you can make certain deductions. The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) does have specific rules for homes used by family members, so check your case with its calculation tool for renting out a private home, or read more in our tax guide for second-hand rentals.
Why rent to a family member through Samtrygg
With Samtrygg you can help someone you care about without mixing up the relationship and the practicalities. The rent guarantee for up to 12 months means a missed payment doesn’t have to become a family matter, and you have a standardised lease instead of a verbal arrangement.
You create a free listing and choose who gets to rent. Your family member is verified and credit-checked before the lease is signed, and if they aren’t creditworthy they choose between a guarantor and a deposit. Then you sign the lease digitally, directly with each other, and get an inspection report, an inventory list and a key receipt along with it.
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
Frequently asked questions about renting to a family member
Do I need permission to rent out a house to a family member?
No, not if you own the house yourself, since the rental then follows the Private Rental Act. A tenant-owned apartment does need the cooperative’s consent, and a rental apartment your landlord’s or the Rent Tribunal’s permission.
Can I rent out my tenant-owned apartment to my child?
Yes, if the housing cooperative gives its consent. Renting to a child or another family member is often accepted as a reason, but the cooperative assesses each case, and if it says no you can turn to the Rent Tribunal.
Can my child live in my home for free?
Yes, but then it’s generally a loan of the home rather than a rental, so you’re both without the protection a lease gives. For a tenant-owned apartment you still need the cooperative’s consent.
Can I charge a family member a lower rent?
Yes, there’s no minimum rent, only rules on how high it may be. The rent can affect how it’s taxed, though, so check what applies with the Swedish Tax Agency.
What notice period applies when I rent to a family member?
For leases under the Private Rental Act signed from 1 July 2026, it’s three months for both parties. For older leases the tenant has one month’s notice in most cases, and for a rental apartment rented out second-hand the Swedish Land Code applies.
Can I rent to a family member through Samtrygg?
Yes. You create a free listing, choose who gets to rent and sign the lease directly with your family member, and the Safety Package is included free of charge for landlords.
Summary
Renting to a family member follows the same rules as any other rental, and it’s the home that decides whether you need permission. A house you own can be rented out without permission, while a tenant-owned or rental apartment requires consent. With a reasonable rent, a clear lease and the condition documented, the rental is safe for you both.
Work out a reasonable rent and create your listing
Last updated 14 October 2026
