Tenants
New private rental law 2026 – How it affects you as a home seeker
On 1 July 2026, new rental market regulations came into force in Sweden. The purpose of the legislative changes is to create a more flexible and efficient housing market, allowing more homes to be used effectively while helping to reduce the housing shortage over time.
Several industry stakeholders contributed input during the legislative process, including Samtrygg,, which has long advocated for making it easier and safer to rent out and rent homes.
If you are looking for a home, the new rules bring several practical improvements. By making it easier for homeowners to rent out their properties, the aim is to increase the number of homes available on the rental market, giving prospective tenants more options to choose from.
Many people searching for a home ask questions such as: Will it become easier to find a place to live? Will I still need to join a housing queue? And how will the new rules affect rental prices? In this guide, we explain what the new legislation means and how it may affect you as a tenant.
More homes makes it easier to find the right one
One of the biggest changes introduced by the new legislation is that it has become easier for homeowners to rent out their properties. The purpose of the legislative changes is to encourage more homeowners to rent out their homes, which is expected to increase the supply of rental housing over time and give prospective tenants more options to choose from.
This means that more co-op apartments, houses and other residential properties may become available for rent. If you are looking for a home, this gives you better opportunities to find accommodation that suits your needs, whether you are searching for an apartment, a room or a more flexible housing solution.
Less reliance on housing queues
As more homeowners choose to rent out their properties, more homes may become available outside the traditional housing queue system. If you are relocating for work or studies, or simply need a home quickly for other reasons, this gives you more opportunities to find accommodation without having to wait years for a first-hand rental contract.
Private rentals are already an important alternative for many home seekers, particularly in Sweden’s larger cities where housing queues are often very long. As more homes become available, it becomes easier to find accommodation that matches your needs and circumstances.
Clearer rules make renting safer
An important part of the new legislation is that the rules governing private rentals have become clearer. Among other things, the distinction between being a lodger and renting a property through subletting has been clarified, making it easier to understand which rules apply in different situations.
As the Private Residential Lettings legislation now covers the rental of up to two privately owned properties, the regulatory framework has become simpler and more consistent for many homeowners. This makes it easier for both tenants and landlords to understand their rights and obligations throughout the tenancy.
For you as a tenant, this provides greater security and better conditions for making informed decisions when searching for and renting a home.
Protection against significantly excessive rents remains
Under the new rules, rents can be set more freely based on market demand. At the same time, the protection against significantly excessive rents remains in place.
If a rent is considered to be significantly higher than what is reasonable, it can still be reviewed. This means that tenants continue to be protected against unreasonably high rents while allowing the rental market to become more flexible.
Ready to find your next home? Search for housing on Samtrygg and get started today.
Fixed-term tenancy agreements provide greater security
From 1 July 2026, as a general rule, landlords can no longer terminate a fixed-term tenancy agreement before the agreed end date. If you and your landlord have agreed on a fixed rental period, the agreement will therefore normally remain in force for the entire agreed term.
For tenants, this provides greater security and predictability. You can plan your housing situation with more confidence and do not have to worry about your landlord terminating the agreement early, provided you comply with the terms of the tenancy agreement.
It is important to remember that the applicable rules depend on when the tenancy agreement was entered into. Agreements signed before 1 July 2026 are generally governed by the previous rules, while agreements signed on or after 1 July 2026 are subject to the new legislation.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the new rental legislation 2026
Will it become easier to find a home?
The purpose of the new legislation is to make it easier for homeowners to rent out their properties. If more people choose to rent out their homes, more properties may become available on the rental market, giving prospective tenants more options to choose from.
Do I need to join a housing queue to find a home?
Not necessarily. Many homes rented out by private homeowners are available outside the traditional housing queue system. As more properties become available through private rentals, your chances of finding accommodation without a long waiting time also increase.
Will rents become higher?
The new rules provide greater freedom to set rents based on market demand. At the same time, the protection against significantly excessive rents remains in place, and a rent can still be reviewed if it is considered to be significantly higher than what is reasonable.
Can a landlord terminate a fixed-term tenancy agreement before it expires?
For tenancy agreements entered into on or after 1 July 2026, the general rule is that a landlord cannot terminate a fixed-term tenancy agreement before the agreed end date. The agreement will normally remain in force for the entire agreed rental period, providing tenants with greater security.
Is it safe to rent a home through subletting?
Yes. The new legislation introduces clearer rules for private rentals, including a clearer distinction between having a lodger and subletting a property.
If you rent through Samtrygg, both the tenant and the landlord verify their identity using BankID, the tenancy agreement is signed digitally, and all rent payments are handled through Samtrygg. This creates a safe and secure rental experience for both parties.
What is the difference between being a lodger and renting through a sublease?
If you share a home with the person who owns or rents the property, you are generally considered a lodger. If you rent the entire property and the person renting it out does not live there, it is generally considered a sublet. The new legislation clarifies this distinction.
When does the new law take effect?
The new regulations came into force on 1 July 2026 and apply to tenancy agreements signed on or after that date. Agreements entered into before 1 July 2026 are generally governed by the previous rules.
How can Samtrygg help me find housing?
On Samtrygg, you can find homes from private homeowners across Sweden. You can create a free account, verify your identity with BankID, and search for homes without relying on the traditional housing queue system.
Register for and start searching for your new home at Samtrygg.
Summary
The purpose of the new Private Residential Lettings legislation is to make it easier for more homeowners to rent out their properties and create a more flexible rental market.
If you are looking for a home, the new rules mean, among other things, that:
- the legislative changes are intended to increase the number of homes available for rent
- your chances of finding a home without joining a long housing queue may improve
- the rules governing private rentals have become clearer
- the protection against significantly excessive rents remains in place
- as a general rule, fixed-term tenancy agreements can no longer be terminated early by the landlord
Overall, the aim is to create a more flexible and efficient rental market, making it easier to find a safe and secure home.
Reviewed by a lawyer.
Last updated 1st July 2026
