Tenants
Renting in Sweden second hand: rules, rights and tips
Renting in Sweden second hand means you rent a home from someone who owns it or has a first-hand contract for it. Which rules apply depends on the type of home. Whatever you rent, the rental should be approved, the lease should be in writing and you should never pay anything before you have seen the home.
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What does it mean to rent second hand?
Renting second hand means you rent from a private person instead of directly from a housing company. The landlord may own the home, for example a tenant-owned apartment (bostadsrätt), a house or a condominium, or rent it themselves on a first-hand contract. You sign a second-hand lease directly with the person renting out.
Most people rent second hand because it is faster than waiting in a housing queue. It works well when you study, change jobs or need somewhere to live while you look for something more permanent. The rules differ between types of home, though, so it pays to know what applies to the one you want to rent.
Which rules apply when you rent second hand?
The rules when you rent second hand depend on the type of home. If you rent a tenant-owned apartment, a house or a condominium from a private person, the Private Rental Act (privatuthyrningslagen) applies to leases signed from 1 July 2026. If you rent a rental apartment (hyresrätt) second hand, the Tenancy Act in the Swedish Land Code (jordabalken) applies instead.
The difference shows mostly in how the rent is set and how long you can stay, so ask the landlord what type of home it is before you sign. If the landlord regularly rents out more than two homes besides their own, the Tenancy Act applies to tenant-owned apartments and houses too. And if your lease was signed before 1 July 2026, the earlier rules still apply. Read more about what the new law means for you as a home seeker.
Does the landlord need permission to rent out second hand?
Yes, the landlord needs permission to rent out second hand if the home is a rental apartment or a tenant-owned apartment. A rental apartment needs consent from the property owner and a tenant-owned apartment needs consent from the housing association. If they say no, the Rent Tribunal (hyresnämnden) can grant permission instead if there are reasons for it.
Houses and condominiums need no approval. The landlord is responsible for the permission, but it matters to you too. A landlord who rents out without consent risks losing their rental or tenant-owned apartment, so feel free to ask whether consent is in place before you sign.
What applies to the rent when you rent second hand?
How the rent is set when you rent second hand depends on the home. In a private rental, you and the landlord agree on the rent, but if it is substantially higher than what similar homes normally cost, you can apply to the Rent Tribunal to have it reviewed. For a rental apartment rented second hand, the rent must be reasonable, and the tribunal in practice starts from what the first-hand tenant pays, with a reasonable addition if the home is furnished, for example.
In both cases you can get back rent you have overpaid. In a private rental it counts from the day you applied, so don’t wait if you think the rent is too high. Read more about what counts as too high a rent.
How long can you stay when you rent second hand?
How long you can stay when you rent second hand depends on the lease. A lease that runs until further notice can be terminated with three months’ notice to the end of a month. In a private rental, a fixed-term lease ends when the rental period is over, but you can always terminate it yourself with three months’ notice if you want to move out earlier.
Once the lease has ended correctly, you have no right to stay. In a private rental you have no security of tenure at all, and if you rent a rental apartment second hand you have no security of tenure for the first two years. Notice must be given in writing. The landlord can also end the lease early if you seriously breach it, for example if the rent is more than two weeks late.
What should you think about when you rent second hand?
When you rent second hand, check the lease, the condition of the home and how you pay. If you do that before you move in, you avoid most of the problems that otherwise tend to come up.
Read the lease carefully before you sign. Check how long it runs, what the rent includes, such as electricity and internet, whether the home is furnished and what applies to termination. If you are paying a deposit, read up on how a deposit works so you know your rights.
Then go through the home together with the landlord when you move in. Write down and photograph scratches, stains and other wear in an inspection report, so nobody has to argue about who caused what when you move out. Ask about keys, reporting faults, waste and internet while you are at it.
Finally, pay the rent in a way that can be traced, never in cash. If questions come up during the rental, raise them with the landlord in writing, so what you agreed is on record.
How do you avoid fake listings when you rent second hand?
You avoid fake listings by never paying anything before you have seen the home and met the landlord. Fraudsters often ask for rent or a deposit in advance, and then both the money and the person disappear.
Be extra careful if the rent is much lower than for similar homes, if the landlord says they are abroad and wants to post the keys, or if you are pushed to decide quickly. A landlord who won’t show ID or a written lease is another warning sign.
Do you need home insurance when you rent second hand?
Yes, you should have your own home insurance when you rent second hand. The landlord’s home insurance covers the landlord’s belongings, not yours, so take out insurance that applies from the day you move in. When you rent through Samtrygg, home insurance is included for the first 30 days, so you have time to arrange your own.
Rent second hand safely through Samtrygg
On Samtrygg, housing listings are checked and you are protected against advance payment fraud. That means you can spend your time finding a home that suits you instead of worrying about fake listings. You search among available apartments, houses and rooms, book a viewing directly in the listing and sign the lease digitally with the landlord. Registration is free and it is free to search for housing.
You sign the lease directly with the landlord, and it is a standardised lease written by Samtrygg’s lawyers. The Safety Package is included in every rental:
- Option to rent without a deposit
- Protection against advance payment fraud
- Safe and secure payments
- Home insurance included for the first 30 days
- Checked housing listings
- Inspection report at move-in and move-out
- Legal advice
- Personal service and help throughout the process
Frequently asked questions about renting second hand in Sweden
Is it allowed to rent second hand?
Yes, you are allowed to rent second hand. It is the landlord who needs consent from the property owner or the housing association when the home is a rental apartment or a tenant-owned apartment. Houses and condominiums need no consent.
Can the landlord terminate my lease when I rent second hand?
Yes, a lease that runs until further notice can be terminated by the landlord with three months’ notice to the end of a month. A fixed-term lease in a private rental runs until the rental period ends, unless you seriously breach the lease. Notice must always be given in writing.
How long can you rent second hand?
In a private rental the law sets no maximum rental period, so you and the landlord decide how long the lease should run. When you rent through Samtrygg the focus is on long-term rentals of six months or more, but you can rent from two months.
What do I do if I have problems with the landlord?
Start by raising the problem with the landlord in writing and refer to what you agreed in the lease. If you can’t agree, you can turn to the Rent Tribunal. When you rent through Samtrygg, legal advice and personal service are included, so you can get help with what applies in your situation.
How does renting second hand through Samtrygg work?
You create a free profile, search among available homes and book a viewing directly in the listing. If the landlord chooses you, you sign the lease digitally, and the Safety Package is included automatically. Set up a search alert to be notified as soon as a new home that suits you is published.
Summary
Renting second hand is a quick way to find a home without a queue. Check that the rental is approved, read the lease carefully, document the condition when you move in and never pay anything before you have seen the home. Then you are well prepared for a safe rental. Looking to sublet in Stockholm? Read how to find a home in Stockholm without a queue.
Find your next second-hand home
Last updated 21 October 2026
