# Rent Out an Apartment in Malmö: Rules and Permits *4 november 2026* > Planning to rent out an apartment in Malmö? Follow practical steps for permission, fair rent, a written agreement and a smooth handover. Renting out an apartment in Malmö can be a practical option if you are temporarily moving away for work or studies. Before you advertise, establish whether you have a rental apartment or a tenant-owned apartment: the permission process and the basis for rent differ, and you will usually need approval before the tenant moves in. ## How to rent out your home step by step ### Step 1: Check whether the arrangement is a sublet If another person is allowed to use the home independently, it will generally count as a sublet, even if you do not charge rent. Having a lodger while you continue to live in the home is usually different, but the arrangement must not effectively give the lodger independent use of the whole apartment. If you plan to rent out the entire home, follow the rules for your type of tenure. Do not hand over the keys and try to obtain approval afterwards. You remain responsible for making sure the arrangement complies with the applicable rules. ### Step 2: Identify your type of tenure If you rent your apartment from a landlord, ask the landlord for consent. If consent is refused, you can apply to the Rent Tribunal for permission. A temporary move for work or study may be a relevant reason, but decisions depend on the circumstances. Be prepared to explain why the sublet is temporary and provide supporting documents. If you own a tenant-owned apartment, apply to the housing association's board. If the board refuses, you can ask the Rent Tribunal to consider the matter. Check the current requirements before setting a move-in date. The Swedish Tenants' Association provides general guidance on rental rights and housing matters. ### Step 3: Apply before committing to a start date Your application for permission to sublet should state why you want to rent out the home, the proposed period and who will live there. Include evidence relevant to your reason, such as confirmation of work or studies. Ask for a written decision and keep a copy. For a rental apartment, apply to the Rent Tribunal if the landlord will not consent. For a tenant-owned apartment, the tribunal may consider a refusal by the association's board. Find application information through the Swedish courts' Rent Tribunal service. Do not begin the sublet while an application is still pending: an application is not permission. ### Step 4: Set rent on a defensible basis What counts as reasonable rent depends in part on the type of home and what is included. For a rental apartment, the starting point is generally the rent you pay. A furniture supplement may be relevant for a furnished home, and actual costs such as electricity or broadband should be clearly itemised and supported. Do not add an arbitrary premium simply because the apartment is in a popular area or demand is high. For a tenant-owned apartment, the assessment normally takes account of costs associated with the home, including operating costs and a capital cost. There is no standard Malmö rate that automatically makes a particular amount lawful. Keep a record of your calculation and list what the rent includes. Check the current rules if you are unsure, since the rules and the possibility of having rent reviewed depend on the arrangement. Swedish provisions on rental and letting are set out in the Land Code. ### Step 5: Make a written agreement Sign a written agreement before the tenant moves in. State the parties, address, rental period, notice arrangements, rent, payment date and what is included. Describe furniture and equipment, responsibility for damage and how the keys must be returned. Make sure the agreement matches the permission you received. If you want a longer period or a different arrangement, check whether you need fresh approval. Keep the agreement with the permission decision and payment records. Tell the tenant how to contact you about damage or an urgent problem. You remain responsible to your landlord or housing association for handling the sublet correctly. ### Step 6: Arrange insurance and document the handover Contact your insurer before the rental starts. Ask how letting affects your home insurance and what cover applies to the property and belongings. Ask the tenant to check their own insurance as well; do not assume a standard home policy covers every subletting situation. Take photographs and prepare an inventory if the apartment is furnished. Record any existing damage together, note meter readings if relevant, and provide clear instructions about rubbish, building access and shared facilities. At the end of the tenancy, compare the apartment with the original record. ### Step 7: Track the end date and close out properly Set a reminder for the end of the permission period and the agreement. If you need to extend the sublet, seek new approval in good time. Do not assume an earlier decision automatically covers a longer period. Give important notices in writing and follow the agreement's notice provisions. When the tenancy ends, inspect the apartment together, collect all keys and reconcile rent and agreed costs. Keep the agreement, permission, inventory and relevant correspondence in case a dispute arises later. ## What if the landlord or housing association refuses? Read the refusal and check whether you can clarify the reason for the sublet or provide further information about the proposed period. A tenant with a rental apartment can apply to the Rent Tribunal if the landlord does not consent. A tenant-owner can ask the tribunal to consider a refusal by the association's board. Do not rent out the home before you have the required permission. An unauthorised sublet can have serious consequences, particularly for a rental contract. ### Summary First identify your type of tenure, then obtain permission, calculate a reasonable rent and sign an agreement before move-in. If you plan to rent out an apartment in Malmö, document its condition and make arrangements for insurance and the eventual handover. Permission is a requirement, not a formality to deal with later. ### Do I need permission to rent out my apartment? Usually, yes, if another person will use the home independently. A rental tenant should ask the landlord, while a tenant-owner should apply to the housing association's board. ### What should I do if my application is refused? In relevant cases, you can apply to the Rent Tribunal. Explain your reason, the proposed period and the supporting evidence, and wait for a decision before the sublet begins. ### How can I tell whether the rent is reasonable? The assessment depends on whether the home is a rental or tenant-owned apartment, what is included and how the amount was calculated. Keep your calculation and check the rules that apply to your particular arrangement.