Swedish rental contracts

A Swedish rental contracts begins the first day of the month and ends the last day. They begin on an agreed upon month and run until one of the parts terminates the contract. Both the landlord and tenant have a three month notice period for terminating the contract. This means that if you want to move into an apartment on the 22 of August, you have to pay rent for the whole month of August. If you want to move out the 20 of June, you have to cancel your rental agreement no later than the 31 of March and pay rent until the 31 of June.

What is included in the rent

Always read the contract carefully to find out what is included in the rent and if you rent privately, not from an agency, you should talk to your landlord and ask them to specify what is included. Unless it is specified that a room or apartment is furnished, it is unfurnished. If you rent a furnished room or apartment, check what furniture is included, in general, they do not include pillows, blankets, sheets and towels.

Remember to check if water (hot and cold), electricity and internet is included or if it is something you need to arrange before arrival. Please note that although internet is included, you might need a cable or router to be able to access it.

Student rooms and student apartments

Student apartments and rooms are owned by rental agencies and are specifically intended for students at the University of Borås. Generally, in a student room you share common areas such as kitchen and maybe the bathroom with one to three other students. Please note that they are not divided by gender and you might share the apartment with someone of the opposite sex. Student apartments are usually small studio apartments where you have your own kitchenette and bathroom. Depending on the size it might be possible for two persons to share the apartment should they choose to, but make sure with the landlord before arriving to Borås. Apartments are not furnished.

Sublet apartment

It is possible to find sublet apartments and houses rented out by private individuals for a specific period of time. Sublet apartments and houses come in all shapes and forms, they can be furnished, unfurnished or partially furnished. It is important to ask for details from the landlord. Unfortunately scams involving sublet apartments are not unheard of so it is important not to pay or transfer money before a contract has been signed.

Renting a room

Sometimes private individuals rent out rooms in their apartments and houses to students. Common areas such as bathroom, kitchen and living room are typically shared with the landlord or other students. Generally the room is furnished but it is necessary to talk to the landlord to make sure, it should also be specified in the contract what is included and not.

Standard apartments/flats

There are several housing agencies in Borås that rent out apartments not specifically intended for students. There are both small apartments for one person and larger ones with several bedrooms. This type of apartment is never furnished and electricity and internet is generally not included.

Temporary accommodation

If you have not been able to find accommodation before your arrival or you are only staying for a short period of time, for example a week or two, there are several types of temporary housing such has youth hostels and hotels available. It is recommended that you book your temporary accommodation before arrival.

If there is a problem

If there is a problem with you apartment or something breaks, you should contact your landlord as soon as possible. You can find the contact information in your contract and sometimes it is posted in the entrance of the building. It is the landlords responsibility to make sure that everything in the apartment is in working conditions. If the problem does not get fix within a reasonable time, you can call Hyresgästföreningen (an independent organisation working for tenet rights) for advice: 0771-443 443. You can also log a formal complaint against the landlord with the city of Borås. You can contact them by email: miljo@boras.se or call them: 033-353000.