During the second quarter of the year, a second-hand apartment in Sweden cost an average of SEK 9,250 a month, according to a report from Blocket bostad. All apartments rented out on the Blocket housing site during the period, regardless of size or city, are included in those statistics.
In total, this is an increase in the monthly rent of 4.7 percent in one year, which is twice as large an increase compared to what it usually is.
– It is quite remarkable. Rents are usually stable on an annual basis, perhaps increasing by zero to two percent, says Fredrik Strömsten, spokesperson for Blocket bostad.
Rising interest rates and electricity prices
The reason for the rising rents is believed to be that landlords have received or are at risk of receiving increased costs for the housing they rent out. Then that cost is instead passed on to the renter, which in many cases is students.
– Since most homes that are rented out are owner-occupied homes, the rising mortgage rates have an impact on the landlords’ costs, and then they increase the rent, says Fredrik Strömsten.
Recently, all four major banks, SEB, Nordea, Handelsbanken and Swedbank, have raised their interest rates.
– Most agreements on the secondary market also include electricity, so when electricity prices rise as they did, it also affects the rent, says Fredrik Strömsten.
“May have to cut back on their food”
Subletting is a common form of accommodation among students. When the monthly costs for it now increase, Sweden’s united student unions believe that it could have major consequences.
– You may have to cut back on your food, course literature, insurance or your social life. More may also have to live far from the universities, perhaps in another city even, says the organization’s vice chairman Jacob Färnert.
In the worst case, according to Sweden’s united student unions, the difficult housing situation can cause people to refuse education.
– It is serious. Your or your family’s wallet should not determine whether you can go to higher education or not, says Jacob Färnert.