Finding a Flat in Sweden: How to Rent a Home

Finding somewhere to live is one of the biggest hurdles for many newcomers to Sweden. In Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Uppsala especially, the rental market is tight, and the system works quite differently from what you may be used to at home.

In this post we show you which contract types exist, where to search, how to protect yourself from scams and which rules apply to rent and deposits.

First-hand vs. second-hand: the two worlds of the rental market

First things first: Sweden makes a strict distinction between two types of contract.

• Förstahandskontrakt – a first-hand contract directly with the owner or housing company. It is usually open-ended and comes with strong security of tenure (besittningsskydd). This is the contract everybody wants.
• Andrahandskontrakt – a sublet. You rent from someone who is a tenant or owner themselves. These contracts are usually fixed-term and offer much less security.

Most newcomers start out with a second-hand contract during their first months. That is completely normal – the important thing is that you know the rules.

The bostadskö: the queue for rental flats

In many cities, first-hand contracts for rental apartments (hyresrätter) are allocated through a bostadskö – a housing queue in which the time you have been waiting counts most. Municipalities or municipal housing companies run these queues, and many private landlords have their own as well.

• In Stockholm the queue is run by Bostadsförmedlingen i Stockholm. Membership costs 200 kronor per year (as of 2026).
• In the big cities, waiting times of many years are normal; in smaller towns you can often get a flat much faster.
• Many private landlords let flats via their own lists or platforms such as HomeQ, so it pays to sign up with several at the same time.

Our tip: Join the bostadskö in your target region as early as possible – ideally even before you move, if that is allowed. Every day in the queue counts.

Subletting: second-hand and private rentals

There are two kinds of sublet, and different rules apply to each.

Subletting a rental flat (hyresrätt)

The main tenant needs written permission from the landlord or from the Hyresnämnden (the regional rent tribunal). According to the tenants' association Hyresgästföreningen:

• For an unfurnished flat you must not pay more than the main tenant pays.
• For a fully furnished flat, a surcharge of up to around 15% is common, plus actual costs for electricity, water or internet.
• If you have paid too much, you can turn to the Hyresnämnden no later than three months after moving out and claim money back.

Renting from a private owner (bostadsrätt, house)

If you rent a co-op apartment (bostadsrätt) or a house from a private individual, the privatuthyrningslagen (private letting act) applies. New rules came into force on 1 July 2026: the rent is now basically agreed freely. However, if it is substantially higher than what is usual for comparable private rentals, the Hyresnämnden can reduce it – but only from the date of your application, not retroactively. Sveriges Domstolar has an overview.

Important: with a private rental you have no security of tenure. To sublet a bostadsrätt, the owner also needs consent from the housing cooperative (bostadsrättsförening). Don't hesitate to ask whether it has been granted.

Where to search: the main platforms

• Qasa – the largest platform for sublets and private rentals, with digital contracts and payment handling. The former rental section "Blocket Bostad" was shut down at the end of 2025 and merged into Qasa.
• HomeQ – first-hand flats from many private landlords.
• Bostadsförmedlingen and the municipal housing companies in your city.
• Samtrygg and Bostadsportal – further rental platforms.
• Hemnet and Booli – mainly for buying flats and houses.
• Facebook groups – lots of offers, but also lots of scammers (see below).

Our tip: Write a short, friendly profile about yourself and your household: who you are, why you are moving to Sweden, your job and your move-in date. Landlords often receive hundreds of enquiries – a good profile makes all the difference.

Rent, bruksvärde and deposits

Rents for first-hand rental flats are regulated in Sweden. They follow the bruksvärdessystem (utility value system): the rent must be in line with comparable flats and is usually negotiated annually between landlords and the tenants' association Hyresgästföreningen. New builds often have a so-called presumtionshyra, which may be higher.

About the deposit (deposition):

• There is no statutory maximum, but Hyresgästföreningen recommends not paying more than a couple of months' rent.
• The deposit should always be stated in the contract.
• Never pay under-the-table money or "finder's fees" for a lease – buying rental contracts is a criminal offence in Sweden.

First-hand landlords often check your income (frequently a multiple of the monthly rent) and your credit history. Without a personnummer (Swedish personal identity number) and Swedish proof of income this is hard at first – another reason why most people start with a sublet.

How to spot rental scams

Rental fraud is unfortunately widespread in Sweden. The Swedish police regularly warn about these typical patterns:

• The "landlord" supposedly lives abroad and cannot show you the flat.
• You are asked to transfer the deposit and first month's rent in advance, and the key will come "by post".
• The photos are taken from genuine sales listings, for example on Hemnet.
• The rent is suspiciously low for the location and you are put under time pressure.

How to protect yourself:

1. Never pay anything before you have seen the flat – in person or via a live video call.
2. Check the landlord's name and phone number yourself, for example in public directories.
3. Ask the housing company or the bostadsrättsförening whether the sublet has been approved.
4. Use platforms with protected payment handling.
5. Always sign a written contract and document the condition of the flat with photos.

Checklist for your flat hunt

• Join the bostadskö in your target city
• Create a profile on Qasa and other platforms
• Have your documents ready: passport, employment contract, proof of income, references from previous landlords if possible
• For sublets: check that the landlord or cooperative has given permission
• Written contract stating the rental period, rent, deposit and notice period
• Make a handover report with photos

Our conclusion

Finding a home in Sweden takes patience and a bit of strategy. Expect to start with a second-hand contract, sign up for the housing queues early and stay sceptical of suspicious offers. If you know the rules on rent and deposits, you are well protected. In case of disputes, the Hyresnämnden and Hyresgästföreningen can help.