What does it cost to break a rental contract?

Breaking a rental contract early normally costs you the rent during the notice period. For a rental flat (hyresrätt) with indefinite tenure, the notice period is three months from the end of the month following the date the landlord receives your notice, as set out in Chapter 12, Section 5 of the Land Code (jordabalken). If the landlord finds a new acceptable tenant earlier, your payment obligation ends from that date. Extra charges such as cleaning or inspection can only be charged if they are stated in the contract.

The short answer: what does it cost to terminate a rental contract?

The basic rule is straightforward: you pay rent during the notice period, not a penalty for terminating. For a primary rental flat (förstahandskontrakt) with indefinite tenure, the notice period is three months under Chapter 12, Section 5 of the Land Code. If you have a fixed-term contract of at least nine months, the same three months applies unless otherwise agreed, but never to your disadvantage as a tenant.

For subletting (andrahandsuthyrning) of your own home under the Private Lettings Act (Privatuthyrningslagen) (2026:772), which came into force on 1 July 2026, the tenant's notice period is one month. The landlord has three months. This is an important change from earlier practice, and the Act repeals the previous Private Lettings Act (2012:978).

How the notice period is calculated

The notice period runs from the end of the month following the date your notice reaches the landlord. If you give notice on 5 March, the three months run from 1 April, and the contract ends on 30 June. During this period you pay rent as usual, even if you have already moved out. Keys should be handed over when the contract ends, not before, unless otherwise agreed.

What does it cost to terminate a rental contract in practice?

The actual cost depends on four things: the length of the notice period, your monthly rent, whether a new tenant can take over earlier, and what you have agreed about move-out cleaning or inspection. Start with the full rent for the notice period and treat everything else as possible additions or deductions.

Worked example

Suppose your rent is 9,200 SEK per month. With a three-month notice period, the total cost is 27,600 SEK even if you move out immediately. If the landlord finds a replacement from month two, you pay 9,200 SEK and avoid the rest. With a one-month notice period under the Private Lettings Act, the cost stays at 9,200 SEK.

If you are thinking of moving to a smaller town, it may be worth comparing local rent levels in What does a one-bedroom flat cost in Gothenburg in 2026? or What does a two-bedroom flat cost in Västerås in 2026? before you make a decision.

Comparison: different contract types

Note that the Private Lettings Act only applies when a natural person or an estate lets out their own home, and does not apply if the landlord regularly lets out more than two flats or if the letting is for holiday purposes.

When the cost can be lower

There are several situations where you can avoid paying the full notice period's rent. The most common is when the landlord finds a new tenant earlier; your payment obligation then ends from the date the new tenant takes over. Many landlords are willing to actively search for a new tenant if you cooperate with viewings.

Assignment and exchange

With assignment to a family member or flat exchange, you do not need to pay notice at all, as the contract passes directly to the new tenant. This is ultimately decided by the Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden). For an exchange, there must be significant grounds and the new tenant must be acceptable to the landlord.

Death

If the tenant dies, the estate can terminate the contract with one month's notice if done within one month of death, under Chapter 12 of the Land Code. This is considerably shorter than the normal period.

When the cost can be higher

If the contract includes conditions for move-out cleaning through the landlord's cleaning company, inspection fees or key handling charges, the final bill may be higher than just the rent. Such conditions must not be to the tenant's disadvantage in a way that breaches Chapter 12 of the Land Code. If you are unsure, ask the Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden) or the Tenants' Association (Hyresgästföreningen) to review the contract.

Damage beyond normal wear and tear (slitage) is a separate matter and is governed by the duty of care in Chapter 12, Section 24 of the Land Code. This is not a termination cost but compensation for actual damage.

Checklist: how to terminate without unnecessary costs

1. Read the contract and note the exact notice period and whether anything is said about cleaning or inspection.
2. Write a notice stating the date it is given and specifying the final rent day. Written is always preferable, although oral notice can be valid.
3. Send by registered mail or hand-deliver with a receipt, so you can prove when it was received.
4. Offer to help with viewings to shorten the time the landlord needs to find a new tenant.
5. Continue paying rent for the full notice period until the landlord has written confirmation that a new tenant has taken over.
6. Book a move-out inspection in good time and document the flat's condition with photographs.
7. Clean to industry standard or as per the contract so you avoid later charges.
8. Hand over keys in the agreed way and request a written receipt.
9. Keep all receipts, emails and inspection reports for at least two years.
10. If the landlord demands more than the rent, ask for an itemised breakdown and check it against the contract before paying.

Subletting and lodgers

If you are subletting and want to end early, what is in the contract comes first, and the Private Lettings Act's three months for the landlord comes second. If you are the subtenant and want to move, one month's notice is enough under the same Act. This is a concrete improvement for the tenant compared to the Land Code's three months.

Consider whether what you are doing is actually subletting or having a lodger, as the rules differ. Also read Can I let my flat to a colleague? if the arrangement could be questioned by the landlord.

If you cannot afford to stay

Financial difficulties are not a legal ground to avoid the notice period. However, a conversation with the landlord may produce a practical solution: shorter notice in exchange for helping find a new tenant, or payment by instalments of the remaining rent. If you miss rent payments during the notice period, you risk both debt and a payment default mark. Read more about this in What happens if I don't pay the rent on time?.

Before signing a new contract, it may be helpful to go through Rental contract before moving in: what should you check? so you don't end up in the same situation next time.

Frequently asked questions

Can I terminate my rental contract orally? Yes, oral notice can be valid, but the burden of proof lies with the person giving notice. A written registered letter is the only safe way to later prove when the notice was received.

Do I have to pay rent if I have already moved out? Yes. The notice period is a payment period, not an occupancy period. Even if the flat is empty, you pay rent until the contract formally ends, provided no new tenant has taken over earlier.

Can the landlord charge a special fee because I am terminating early? No, there is no general penalty fee in law. Only charges that are agreed and do not breach Chapter 12 of the Land Code can be charged, and such conditions are ultimately decided by the Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden).

What happens if the landlord refuses to accept the notice? A correctly given notice does not need to be accepted to be valid. If the landlord disputes it, contact the Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden). Continue paying rent in the meantime so you do not fall into arrears.

This text is general information and does not constitute legal advice.