On Wednesday, the Riksdag voted in favour of several legislative changes in the housing sector.
This includes, among other things, changes to the rules for so-called block rent for property owners who want to rent out at least three apartments to the same tenant, such as a company. The changes also include a new private rental law with clearer rules.
What has particularly raised criticism, however, is that it will become easier for private individuals to sublet their condominiums. Among other things, it will be possible to sublet for longer periods than today, which has raised concerns about purchases of homes where the sole purpose is to make money.
“Just ideology”
We have worked intensively to provide a good basis for politics. But they have completely ignored our experience, says Johan Nyhus, chairman of the HSB union.
I'm actually a little upset, because this is just ideology. They've decided that it will now be allowed to speculate in housing.
According to Housing Minister Andreas Carlson (KD), however, the purpose of the legislative changes is to make the rental market more flexible.
"At the same time, an important principle remains: condominiums should not be used as pure objects of speculation. If the purpose is solely to make money, there is no reason for renting," Carlson wrote in an opinion piece in Aftonbladet in connection with the changes being voted through.
Shares the criticism
Johan Kleveland, legal counsel at Fastighetsägarna, welcomes the changes regarding block rent and the clearer rules for private rentals.
However, he shares the criticism of the changed secondary regulations.
We question whether there is a need for this. This risks leading to more speculative purchases and less interest from tenant-owners in participating in the management and taking responsibility for the building, he says.
It is very difficult for an association to show that a home was purchased for speculation.
The new law and the amendments to the law will enter into force on July 1.
