What does it mean?
Illegal apartment trading means rental contracts are sold illegally, often for hundreds of thousands of kronor. The phenomenon is a direct consequence of the housing shortage and long queue times — a first-hand contract in attractive areas has significant economic value due to the gap between regulated rent and market value. Trading often occurs through intermediaries and social networks, and can be difficult to detect.
Buying or selling rental contracts has been illegal since 2019, when criminal penalties were tightened. Both buyers and sellers can be sentenced to fines or imprisonment for up to four years. The buyer also risks losing the apartment if the landlord or authorities discover the transaction. Despite stricter penalties, illegal trading is still estimated to be widespread, with amounts reaching several hundred thousand kronor for attractive apartments in major cities.
Key Points
- Illegal to buy and sell rental contracts — up to 4 years imprisonment since 2019
- Contracts can sell for hundreds of thousands of kronor in major cities
- Driven by housing shortage and large gaps between regulated rent and market value
- Both buyer and seller risk criminal penalties
- The buyer also risks losing the apartment if the trade is discovered
Practical Tip
Never pay to "take over" a rental contract — it is criminal and you risk losing both the money and the apartment. If someone offers you a contract for sale, report it to the police. Instead, use legal channels like the housing queue and platforms like Bofrid.
Legal Basis: Land Code Ch. 12, § 65a (prohibition of rental contract trading)