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Rent Out a Room to a Lodger – Here’s How

Renting out a room to a lodger is a smart way to earn extra income each month while also enjoying some pleasant company in your daily life. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, having a lodger can contribute to both your finances and your social life. However, to successfully rent out a room, it’s important to plan the process carefully. Here, we go through our best tips for a safe and smooth experience.

Did you know that a standard home insurance policy is not designed for renting out your home and does not always cover damages that may occur during the rental period? Learn more about how we have developed a tailored solution when subletting your home.

1. What kind of person am I looking for?

When planning to rent out a room, it’s important to carefully consider what type of person you want to live with. Since you will be sharing a home, both personality and lifestyle play a big role in how well the living arrangement works.

It’s a good idea to meet the tenant before making a decision and discuss important matters together. For example, you can create a list of rules that both parties sign, clearly outlining expectations regarding cleaning, guests, and general house rules.

Some people prefer a social lodger, while others value more privacy—base your decision on what suits you best to create a safe and comfortable home.

2. Ask for references from a previous landlord

Once you have chosen a person you want to rent to, it can be wise to ask for a reference from a previous landlord or employer. This gives you a better understanding of the person and increases the security of your rental.

By checking references, you can ensure that the tenant is reliable and responsible, which reduces the risk of future problems.

3. Make sure the rent is reasonable

If you are renting out a room, the “Private Residential Letting Act” (lagen om uthyrning av egen bostad) usually applies. This means that you and the tenant agree on a reasonable rent together.

A good rule of thumb is that the rent should not exceed the average cost per square meter for the space the lodger can use, including both the private room and shared areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.

By setting a fair rent, you increase the chances of a long-term and trouble-free rental.

What is a suitable rent for the room? Try the Rent Calculator.

Since our start in 2013, we at Samtrygg have helped thousands of landlords and tenants across Sweden. Samtrygg is a marketplace for secure housing rentals that, among other things, manages rent payments and provides rental agreements developed by our legal experts.

You also receive personal support throughout the entire rental process, and for you as a landlord, all our services are completely free.