What does it mean?
Advance rent means the tenant pays rent before the period it covers. Under the Land Code Chapter 12, Section 20, the landlord may not demand more than one month's rent in advance — demanding several months upfront is prohibited in first-hand rentals and can be a sign of fraud.
In private rentals under the Act on Renting Out Own Residence, there are some exceptions, but the practice is still to not demand more than one month in advance. If a landlord demands several months' advance payment, you should be cautious — it may involve illegal subletting or a scam. It's important to distinguish between a deposit (security that is returned) and advance payment (payment credited against future rent).
Key Points
- Maximum one month's rent in advance for first-hand rentals by law
- Multiple months' advance can indicate fraud or illegal subletting
- Distinguish between deposit (security) and advance (prepayment of future rent)
- Private rentals have some flexibility, but practice is one month
- Always request a receipt and written documentation for advance payments
Practical Tip
If a landlord demands several months' rent in advance — be extremely cautious. Never pay large sums before seeing the apartment and verifying that the person actually owns or is authorized to rent it out. Check ownership via Lantmäteriet's property search.
Legal Basis: Land Code (Jordabalken) Ch. 12, §20