Notice period rental Mölndal

If you rent an apartment in Mölndal, you have the right to end your tenancy whenever you wish. This applies whether you rent from Mölndals Bostäder, a private landlord or a condominium association. The notice period is always three months, and that is set by the Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken).

Three months' notice — regardless of the contract

Under the Swedish Land Code chapter 12 section 11, the tenant has the right to terminate the lease. The notice period is three months, and it applies regardless of any shorter notice period stated in the lease. A contract cannot shorten your notice period below three months. Even if you and the landlord have agreed on a shorter period in the contract, the law applies, and the law gives you three months.

This means that if you give notice on 1 November, the last rental month is usually January, and you pay rent until then. The notice period is calculated from the month following the month in which the notice reaches the landlord, unless otherwise agreed. Always calculate your exact move-out date before sending the notice, and ask Hyresgästföreningen for help if you are unsure how to calculate it.

You cannot terminate the lease with immediate effect just because you want to move quickly. The three months apply even if you have found a new apartment and want to move immediately. If you need to move earlier, you can ask the landlord if they accept an earlier move-out date, but they are not obliged to say yes.

Notice must be in writing

Although some landlords accept verbal notice, you should always give notice in writing. That gives you proof that the notice was received and when it was sent. Send the notice by registered post or hand it in personally and get a receipt. You can also send it by email if the landlord has accepted that previously, but a registered letter is the safest evidence if there is later a dispute about when the notice was received.

What the notice must include

Include the following information:

your full name and current address
the apartment concerned (street address, postal code, city and apartment number)
the date on which you write the notice
the date you want the lease to end (no earlier than three months ahead)
a request for confirmation that the notice has been received
information about where the landlord can reach you after you move (your new address or an email address)
your signature

Attach a copy of the lease if you still have it, and give an address where the landlord can send any reply, inspection offer and final settlement of the deposit. Keep a copy of the notice and proof that you sent it.

How to send the notice

The safest way is to send the notice by registered post. You then receive a certificate of posting showing that the letter was sent, and the landlord must sign for it. You can also hand in the notice personally to the landlord or to the landlord's office, but ask for a written receipt that you have submitted it. Do not just send a text message or call, as it is difficult to prove later if there is a disagreement.

What happens after notice

Once the landlord has received your notice, you should arrange a move-out inspection of the apartment. The inspection usually takes place close to the move-out date, and then you go through the condition of the apartment together. You have the right to live in the apartment for the whole notice period and should pay rent as normal until the lease ends.

Move-out inspection — how it works

At the move-out inspection, you and the landlord go through the apartment room by room. You look at walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, kitchen, bathroom and any appliances that belong to the apartment. The aim is to determine what is normal wear and tear and what may need to be fixed before you move out.

Normal wear and tear, for example minor marks on walls from furniture or normal wear on floors, you should not have to pay for. On the other hand, you may be liable for damages that you or your guests have caused, for example holes in walls, broken windows or stains on carpets that cannot be removed. You draw up an inspection protocol together, and both parties sign it. The protocol is important if there is later a dispute about the deposit.

If the inspection shows that something needs to be fixed, you can either fix it yourself before you move out or agree with the landlord on how to solve it. Keep all receipts and photos from the inspection.

Keys and return

When you move out, you must return all keys to the apartment, entrance door, mailbox, any storage room, garage or parking space. Also return any tags, access cards, garage door remote controls and other keys or access cards you have received from the landlord. Do not forget to return any tags for the laundry room or common areas.

Return the keys in person at the inspection or at the handover of the apartment, and get a receipt that everything has been returned. If you lose a key, you may be charged for the cost of changing the locks, so take care of the keys during the entire notice period.

Deposit and final settlement

If you paid a deposit when you moved in, the landlord must make a final settlement after you have moved out. The deposit is security for any damage or unpaid rent, and the landlord may only deduct for what has actually arisen and for which you are responsible.

The landlord must repay what remains of the deposit within a reasonable time after the lease has ended, usually within about a month. If the landlord makes deductions from the deposit, they must show you which deductions are made and why, for example by referring to the inspection protocol and quotes or invoices for repairs.

If you have paid rent in advance for a period that extends beyond the notice period, you should get that part back. Keep your notice documents, inspection protocol and receipts until everything is settled and the deposit has been repaid.

If the landlord gives notice — security of tenure

There is a difference between you giving notice and the landlord giving notice to you. As a tenant you have strong security of tenure under the Swedish Land Code. The landlord cannot give you notice without a valid reason. Valid reasons may be, for example, that you do not pay the rent on time, that you seriously disturb neighbours, or that you use the apartment in breach of the lease.

If the landlord wants to give you notice, they must do so in writing and state the reason. You have the right to object to the notice, and the dispute is then decided by the rent tribunal (hyresnämnden). The rent tribunal is an authority that decides rent disputes and other disputes between tenants and landlords.

Hyresgästföreningen and the rent tribunal

If you receive a notice from the landlord that you disagree with, or if you have questions about your own notice, you can contact Hyresgästföreningen (the Swedish Union of Tenants) for advice. Hyresgästföreningen is a membership organisation that helps tenants with legal issues, and they can review your lease and your notice. If you are a member, you can get free advice.

Disputes about notice that cannot be resolved between you and the landlord are decided by the rent tribunal. The rent tribunal can determine whether the notice is valid and whether you have the right to remain in the apartment. You can also turn to the rent tribunal if you and the landlord disagree about the deposit or about compensation for damage to the apartment.

Notice template

You do not need a specific form, but you can write your notice like this:

[Your name] [Your address] [Postal code and city]

[Date]

[Landlord's name] [Landlord's address]

Notice of termination of lease for [apartment address, apartment number]

I hereby give notice that my lease above shall end on [date, at least three months ahead].

Please confirm receipt and let me know about the inspection and final settlement.

Sincerely

[Signature]

Sources

Swedish Land Code (1970:994), chapter 12 Lease, in particular section 11 on the tenant's right to terminate and three months' notice — Riksdagen, riksdagen.se
Hyresgästföreningen, hyresgastforeningen.se

This article is a guide and does not replace legal advice. In a specific dispute, contact Hyresgästföreningen or a lawyer.

Notice period rental Mölndal: end your tenancy