Landlords

How much rent can I charge? How to set a reasonable rent when renting out your home

Setting the right rent is one of the most important parts of a successful rental. Charging too much can make it harder to find a tenant and, in some cases, lead to the rent being challenged. At the same time, you don’t want to set the rent too low and miss out on potential rental income.

The amount of rent you can charge depends on the type of home you are renting out. Different rules apply to rental apartments than to privately owned homes such as apartments, houses and holiday homes.

In this guide, we’ll explain what affects a reasonable rent and how to find a rent level that works for both you and your future tenant.

Not sure how much rent you can charge? Try Samtrygg’s rent calculator and get an estimate based on thousands of previous rentals.

What is considered a reasonable rent?

A reasonable rent is one that reflects the value of the home while complying with the rules that apply to the specific type of home.

The appropriate rent depends on factors such as:

• Type of home
• Size and number of rooms
• Standard and condition
• Location and neighbourhood
• Market demand
• Whether the home is furnished
• Whether costs such as electricity, internet or parking are included

The rules differ depending on whether you are renting out a rental apartment or a privately owned home.

Reasonable rent for an apartment

For privately owned homes, such as apartments, the rent can generally be based on market demand.

Factors that influence what is considered a reasonable rent include:

• Location
• Standard
• Size
• Market demand
• Furnishing

At the same time, there is still protection against significantly excessive rent. This means the rent must not be unreasonably high in relation to the home and the current market conditions.

How do you find the right rent?

For most landlords, it can be difficult to estimate the market rent on their own. At Samtrygg, we use data from thousands of completed rentals to help landlords set a competitive and reasonable rent.

Read more in our guide to renting out an apartment.

Reasonable rent for a house or holiday home

The same rules generally apply to houses, townhouses, holiday homes and other privately owned homes as to privately owned apartments.

The rent can be based on market demand, while protection against significantly excessive rent still applies.

Factors that influence what is considered a reasonable rent include:

• Location
• Size
• Standard and condition
• Whether the home is furnished
• Demand in the local area

Read more in our guide to renting out a house.

Reasonable rent for a rental apartment

If you rent out a rental apartment as a sublet, the rules in the Swedish Rent Act regarding utility value (bruksvärde) apply. This generally means that you may not charge more than the rent you pay to your landlord.

If the apartment is furnished, you may usually add a reasonable supplement. In some cases, you may also charge separately for costs such as:

• Electricity
• Internet
• Parking
• TV services

provided these are included in the rental.

Example

If your first-hand rent is SEK 8,000 per month and the apartment is rented out furnished, the rent may be higher than SEK 8,000, provided that any supplements are reasonable.

Are you at risk of charging too much rent?

If a tenant believes the rent is too high, it may be reviewed. For rental apartments, tenants may also be entitled to claim repayment of overcharged rent under the applicable rules.

Read more in our guide to renting out a rental apartment.

The Private Letting Act now covers up to two homes

The Private Letting Act applies to the rental of up to two privately owned homes.

This means that, as a private individual, you can rent out, for example:

• Two apartments
• A house and an apartment
• A holiday home and an apartment

while the same legal framework applies to both homes.

If you rent out more than two privately owned homes, different rules apply to any additional homes that fall outside the scope of the Private Letting Act.

Read more in our guide to renting out multiple homes.

How Samtrygg helps you set the right rent

Since 2013, Samtrygg has helped thousands of landlords rent out their homes across Sweden.

When you create a listing with us, you’ll have access to:

• A rent calculator based on real rental data
• Statistics from thousands of completed rentals
• Guidance on the demand for your home
• Tenant screening and verification
• Legally prepared lease agreements
• Rent guarantee for up to 12 months
• Rental insurance
• Personal support throughout the rental process

Before your listing is published, we’ll also contact you to help assess demand and recommend a reasonable rent for your home.

FAQ – common questions about setting the right rent

How do I know how much rent I can charge?

It depends on the type of home you are renting out. Rental apartments are subject to utility value (bruksvärde) rules, while the rent for privately owned homes can generally be based on market demand.

What happens if I set the rent too high?

Charging too much rent can make it harder to find a tenant. In some cases, the rent may also be reviewed if it is considered higher than permitted under the applicable rules.

Can I charge extra if the home is furnished?

Yes. If you rent out a furnished home, you can often add a reasonable supplement to the rent. What is considered reasonable depends on the type of home and the rules that apply to the rental.

How can I estimate a reasonable rent?

A good starting point is to compare your home with similar homes in the same area. You can also use Samtrygg’s rent calculator, which is based on data from thousands of previous rentals.

Summary

Setting the right rent means finding a level that is both attractive to prospective tenants and reasonable under the rules that apply to the type of home you are renting out.

For rental apartments, the utility value (bruksvärde) principle applies, while the rent for privately owned homes can generally be based on market demand. Samtrygg’s rent calculator and experience from thousands of completed rentals help you set a competitive and reasonable rent from the very beginning.

Try our rent calculator and create a free listing with Samtrygg today.

Last updated 13 July 2026.