Minor Repairs and Tenant Responsibility in Sweden
As a tenant in Sweden it is important to know which minor repairs you may be expected to do yourself and which are the landlord's responsibility. This guide explains the difference between minor repairs and larger maintenance, the limits set by law according to the Land Code, and what to do if the landlord demands unreasonable costs. The text also covers how to document faults, applicable deadlines, and when you can turn to the Rent Tribunal or the Enforcement Authority for help. The goal is to give practical advice that protects your rights as a tenant and helps you resolve common disputes clearly and securely. This is aimed at ordinary tenants without a legal background. Read on for concrete steps and examples.
What applies to minor repairs?
As a tenant in Sweden you may in many cases be obliged to carry out minor measures yourself, but the boundaries are clear in legislation and case law. According to the Land Code the lease agreement and custom can specify what counts as minor repairs.[1]
In many cases reasonable limits apply to the cost and frequency of minor repairs.
What counts as minor repair?
- Replacing light bulbs and fuses (repair).
- Replacing handles, small fittings or minor hardware (repair).
- Sealing small leaks or replacing seals (repair).
- Simple cleaning that affects function, such as clearing drains (evidence).
Keep receipts and photographs as documentation if a repair becomes disputed.
The landlord is responsible for larger maintenance and repairs that affect the apartment's standard or safety. If a landlord demands payment beyond what is reasonable you should request a written account and seek advice.[1]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who pays for minor repairs?
- Usually the tenant for small jobs, if there is a reasonable cost limit in the agreement; otherwise the landlord is responsible for fixing more serious defects. [1]
- Is there a maximum cost a tenant can be required to pay?
- There is no exact amount in the law, but practice sets limits. If uncertain the Rent Tribunal can assess what is reasonable. [2]
- What do I do if the landlord ignores my fault report?
- Document the fault, send a written request and consider applying to the Rent Tribunal for review; as a last resort the Enforcement Authority can be used for enforcement. [2]
How to
- Contact the landlord in writing and describe the fault precisely (file).
- Take photos and keep receipts as evidence of damage and any costs (evidence).
- Give the landlord a reasonable time to fix the issue within 14 days or as agreed (days).
- If you cannot agree, consider applying to the Rent Tribunal for review (court).[2]
- If a decision is in your favor but not enforced, the Enforcement Authority can assist with collection or enforcement (pay).[3]
Documenting every step makes the process easier if the matter needs to be reviewed by an authority.
Help and Support / Resources
- Rent Tribunal – domstol.se
- Land Code (Chapter 12, Tenancy) – riksdagen.se
- Enforcement Authority – kronofogden.se
