Are you renting out your condominium or villa? Here we explain what the Swedish Private Residential Letting Act says about notice periods for both landlords and tenants, and what applies following the legislative change that came into effect on 1 July 2026.
Which law applies to subletting?
When you rent out a condominium or villa, the agreement is primarily governed by the Private Residential Letting Act (lagen om uthyrning av egen bostad), often referred to as the Private Letting Act.
The Act applies when a private individual rents out their home in exchange for payment, provided that the letting is not carried out as part of a business activity.
The rules apply whether you rent out the entire property or just a room, and they cover condominiums, villas and owner-occupied apartments (ägarlägenheter). If you are subletting a rental apartment, however, different rules under the Swedish Tenancy Act apply instead.
As of 1 July 2026, the Act has changed in one important respect. Previously, only the first property was covered by the Private Residential Letting Act if an individual rented out more than one property. Under the new rules, it is possible to rent out two properties under the Act’s more flexible framework. This makes it easier for private individuals who, for example, want to rent out an apartment in Stockholm as part of a small-scale property letting arrangement.
Notice period for the tenant
Under the Act, the tenant always has the right to one month’s notice. This applies regardless of what is stated in the rental agreement.
If the agreement specifies a longer notice period for the tenant, that provision is invalid if it is less favourable to the tenant than the statutory rules.
For example, if the tenant gives notice on 12 August, the tenancy will end on 30 September. This is because the notice period is calculated from the end of the month in which notice is given.
Notice period for the landlord
The landlord has a longer notice period of three months.
This period cannot be shortened, even if both parties agree to do so. However, the parties may agree on a longer notice period than three months, since this is more favourable to the tenant.
For example, if the landlord gives notice on 12 August, the tenancy will end on 30 November — three full months calculated from the end of the month in which notice is given.
The difference between one month’s notice for the tenant and three months’ notice for the landlord is a fundamental feature of the Private Residential Letting Act. The intention is to give the tenant a relatively short period in which to move out if necessary, while giving the landlord reasonable time to find a new tenant.
Do the same rules apply to fixed-term and open-ended agreements?
Yes, essentially the same notice periods apply regardless of the type of agreement, but there is an important difference in how the tenancy ends.
Open-ended agreements
There is no fixed end date. The agreement must be terminated by either party in order for the tenancy to end, and the standard notice periods apply: one month for the tenant and three months for the landlord.
Fixed-term agreements
A fixed-term agreement has a specific end date stated in the contract. The agreement normally ends automatically when the rental period expires, without either party having to give notice.
If either party wants to terminate the agreement before the agreed end date, the landlord’s three-month notice period and the tenant’s one-month notice period generally apply, unless otherwise agreed in a way that benefits the tenant.
If the tenant remains in the property after the end date with the landlord’s consent, this may in practice be treated as an extension of the tenancy. This is important to keep in mind if, for example, you are planning to move back into your own property on a specific date.
Can you agree on a different notice period?
To some extent. The Act is mandatory in favour of the tenant, meaning that the tenant’s statutory minimum rights cannot simply be waived.
It is therefore possible to:
- Agree on a longer notice period for the landlord, such as four or six months
- Agree on a longer notice period for the tenant if it is expressly to the tenant’s benefit
It is not possible to:
- Reduce the landlord’s notice period to less than three months
- Require the tenant to give more than one month’s notice if this is not beneficial to the tenant
This is one of the most common misunderstandings among landlords. Many assume that they can freely include any notice period they wish in the rental agreement. In reality, the law establishes clear minimum protections that apply regardless of what is written in the contract.
Security of tenure – does the tenant have the right to remain?
No. One important difference compared with ordinary rental apartments is that tenants covered by the Private Residential Letting Act do not have security of tenure.
This means that a tenant cannot demand to remain in the property once the agreement has been properly terminated, or when a fixed-term agreement expires.
This rule, which has been in place since 2021, is one reason why the Private Residential Letting Act is often considered a more straightforward and predictable framework for people considering renting out their condominium or villa. From the outset, both parties know what applies when the tenancy needs to end.
What happens if there is a disagreement about the notice?
If the landlord and tenant cannot agree — for example, about the date on which a notice period begins or when the tenancy actually ends — the matter can be brought before the Rent and Tenancy Tribunal (Hyresnämnden).
The tribunal can also be involved in matters such as assessing whether the rent is reasonable or where one of the parties seeks to change the terms of an ongoing tenancy.
A clear and correctly drafted rental agreement significantly reduces the risk of these types of disputes. Making sure that dates, notice periods and other terms are correctly formulated from the outset is something we at Victory Stockholm always ensure in the agreements we prepare for our clients.
Why many property owners choose professional help
Renting out an apartment or villa in Stockholm involves more than simply signing a contract. Correct notice periods, appropriate rent levels and an agreement that provides protection if something unexpected happens are all essential for a secure rental arrangement — for both the landlord and the tenant.
Many of our clients are private individuals who want to rent out their condominium while spending time abroad, a villa in Lidingö or Djursholm ahead of a move, or an apartment in central Stockholm to international tenants and expats looking for reliable corporate housing in Stockholm.
Whatever your situation, we can help you find the right tenant, prepare a legally compliant rental agreement and ensure that notice periods and other terms comply with the Private Residential Letting Act — from the initial contact all the way through to the signed agreement.
Thinking about renting out your property? Get in touch with us and we will help you find the perfect tenant: https://victorystockholm.se/rental
