# Report defects in your rental apartment in Mölndal: How to do it *Svante Holm* *14 november 2026* > If you find a defect or fault in your rental apartment in Mölndal, report it to the landlord at once. Here is how to report it correctly — and avoid becoming liable for the damage yourself. If you find a defect or fault in your rental apartment in Mölndal, report it to the landlord at once. Reporting defects in your rental apartment in Mölndal on time is the most important thing you can do to avoid becoming liable for the damage yourself. Here we explain what counts as a defect, what the landlord is obliged to maintain, and how to report it properly. ## What counts as a defect or fault A defect or fault in a rental apartment is something that makes the apartment not fully usable for its intended purpose. It can be a water leak in the kitchen, a broken window that cannot be closed, a radiator that does not heat, mold in the bathroom, or a door lock that has jammed. Even vermin in the apartment counts as a defect that the landlord must remedy. A defect can be urgent, such as a running water pipe, or slower, such as moisture that develops over time. Regardless of the type of defect, you should report it as soon as you discover it. There is a difference between a defect the landlord is responsible for and ordinary wear and tear that you as a tenant must live with. Scratches in the floor after years of use or worn wallpaper are not necessarily a defect the landlord must fix immediately. On the other hand, it is the landlord's responsibility if the apartment is not kept in the condition prescribed by the tenancy law. ## The landlord's maintenance responsibility The landlord shall, unless a better condition has been agreed, provide the apartment in such a condition that it is, according to the general opinion in the area, fully usable for the intended purpose. This follows from the Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken), chapter 12, section 9, first paragraph. The landlord also has a continuing maintenance obligation and shall keep the apartment in such a condition during the tenancy, unless otherwise agreed. That is set out in chapter 12, section 15, second paragraph. This means that the landlord is responsible for fixed installations such as water, sewage, heating, electricity, ventilation, and windows, and that common areas such as stairwells and laundry rooms are kept in good condition. If a radiator stops working in the middle of winter, if a water pipe leaks, or if the roof lets rain in, it is the landlord who must ensure the fault is fixed. You as the tenant are responsible for daily upkeep, such as cleaning, airing, and not causing damage through carelessness. You are not obliged to repair fixed installations or major damage to the building. ## How to report defects in your rental apartment in Mölndal — step by step Reporting defects in your rental apartment in Mölndal does not have to be complicated, but there are some steps that are important to follow. 1. Document the damage. Take photos of the defect or fault as soon as you discover it. Note the date and what happened. Photos make it easier for the landlord to assess the measure and reduce the risk of disagreement later. 2. Contact the landlord in writing. Send your report by email or via the contact form the landlord has. Keep a copy of the message. A written record makes it clear when you reported and what you reported. 3. Describe the defect clearly. Tell what is broken, where in the apartment it is located, when it occurred, and whether it affects your possibility to live in the apartment. The more information you give, the faster the landlord can act. 4. Give the landlord access. The landlord or a contractor may need to enter the apartment to inspect and repair. You must grant access to a reasonable extent, but you have the right to be informed before staff arrive. 5. Follow up if nothing happens. If the landlord does not respond or does not fix the fault within a reasonable time, send a reminder. Note when you sent it. If you rent from Mölndalsbostäder, you can read more about who they are as a public housing company on the page about Mölndalsbostäder, where we describe which rental apartments they manage and how to get in touch with them. ## If you are away when the damage occurs If you and members of your household are away when the damage occurs or the defect appears, and you have given the landlord an opportunity to enter the apartment if needed during your absence, it is enough that you notify the landlord of the damage immediately after you have returned. The important thing is that you do not wait unnecessarily once you are back home. ## What happens after the report If the landlord does not fulfill their maintenance obligation, you as a tenant have several options. According to the Swedish Land Code chapter 12, you may be entitled to a reasonable rent reduction, compensation for damage, or a court order requiring the landlord to remedy the defect. Which consequence applies depends on how serious the defect is and whether the landlord has been informed of it. If the defect is so serious that you cannot live in the apartment, you may in some cases have the right to terminate the lease or receive a rent reduction. This usually requires that the landlord has become aware of the defect and has not remedied it. ## If the landlord does not fix the defect If the landlord ignores your report or refuses to repair, you can turn to the Swedish Union of Tenants (Hyresgästföreningen) for advice. The next step is to apply to the rent tribunal (hyresnämnden) for dispute resolution. The rent tribunal can examine whether the landlord has breached their maintenance obligation and what compensation or rent reduction is reasonable. Keep all documentation: your report, any reminders, replies from the landlord, and photos of the damage. That makes it easier if the matter is later brought before the rent tribunal. ## Common mistakes to avoid A common mistake is waiting too long to report. If you do not inform the landlord of the damage or defect, you may yourself become liable for damage caused by your own negligence. Another mistake is trying to repair fixed installations yourself without the landlord's approval. That can make you liable for damages if something goes wrong. Also remember to check what your lease says about defect reporting and maintenance. Some agreements specify how and to whom you should turn. You can read more about what to look for in the contract on the page about rental contracts in Mölndal. ## Summary Report defects in your rental apartment in Mölndal as soon as you discover a problem. Document with photos, report in writing to the landlord, grant access for repairs, and follow up if nothing happens. The landlord is responsible for maintenance of the apartment and fixed installations under the Swedish Land Code chapter 12, but you are responsible for reporting in time. Have you discovered a fault in your rental apartment in Mölndal? Report it directly to your landlord and keep a copy of your report.