Some remain, but the majority of negotiations for 2026 are complete. For both public utilities and private property companies, the increase will average 3.4 percent, according to figures from the Tenants' Association.
- It is significantly lower this year, the lowest in four years, says Marie Linder.
Historical levels
The majority of rent increases are between 3 and 4 percent. The lowest increases are seen in Järfälla and Halmstad municipalities, where rents are on average being increased by 1.9 and 2.2 percent, respectively. Dorotea and Nordanstig are going in the opposite direction, with rents increasing by 5 percent.
Rent increases in recent years have been at historically high levels, as a result of rampant inflation and high interest rates. Last year, the increase averaged 4.8 percent and in 2024 it was 5.1 percent.
If you look at the economy now, interest rates are falling and inflation is going down. This also means that the cost pressure on property companies is decreasing, and then you also have to make sure that it has an effect on Sweden's tenants.
Many under pressure
If you go back a few years, the average rent increase was significantly lower. In 2021, the increase was 1.3 percent and in 2020 it was 1.9 percent.
Many rental households are under pressure. In general, everyone is under pressure from housing costs, but there have been very high rent increases and no compensation whatsoever for tenants.
The Tenants' Association wants to see rent increases halved by next year.
They have to get down to more normal levels. How are people going to afford it? If you work full-time, you also have to be able to afford to live. If you have to spend significantly more of your income on being able to afford to live, it affects how you can afford everything else, says Marie Linder.
However, calling the increases abnormally high is misleading, according to the Swedish Public Service.
"There is no fixed normal level - it depends on the economic situation. Comparing with a period of extremely low interest rates and non-existent inflation gives a distorted picture," says CEO Cathrine Holgersson in a comment.
Malin Johanson/TT
Facts: How rents have increased in the last 10 years
TT
2026: 3.4 percent
2025: 4.8 percent
2024: 5.1 percent
2023: 4.2 percent
2022: 1.7 percent
2021: 1.3 percent
2020: 1.9 percent
2019: 1.9 percent
2018: 1.0 percent
2017: 0.7 percent
Source: Tenants' Association
